Pope Francis paid for own funeral before death
THE Vatican has revealed that Pope Francis had already paid for his funeral expenses prior to his death and asked to be buried in a simple and cheap tomb.
In a letter he wrote back in June 2022 which has now been released, the Pope asked for his grave to be plain, without any decorations and with only one word written on it: Franciscus.
The Pontiff in this letter said he wanted to be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, a church he loved and visited often to pray before and after his trips.
“The tomb should be in the ground, simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus,” wrote the Pope.
The Vatican said the burial costs were covered by money the Pope arranged to be given to the church through a person whose name has not been made public.
He gave the instructions to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, who oversees the basilica.
The Pope also shared that he was offering up the pain he experienced in his final years for world peace and unity among people.
“The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major,” read the letter.
“I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.”
By Catherine Pule
