Pope Francis Chose His Resting Place Days After Becoming Pontiff

Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, made it clear almost immediately after becoming pope where he wanted to spend eternity.

Just days after his election in March 2013, Pope Francis shared his burial wishes with those close to him. Elected at age 76, he openly acknowledged he might not have a long tenure, preferring to be prepared for whatever came next. It's a move that feels both humble and practical—two words you don't always use for a man in the Vatican’s highest office.

According to constructive theologian Neomi DeAnda, Pope Francis selected the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome as his final resting place. The choice was deeply personal: his grandparents, who immigrated to Argentina from Italy, had lived near the Basilica and often visited it. This connection to family history clearly weighed more than the grandeur of St. Peter's for Francis.

The Basilica also held spiritual significance for the pope, who visited it every time before embarking on trips. It became a kind of spiritual home base, and he made his very first public appearance as pope there, which puts a poetic spin on the whole 'full circle' thing.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was the first pope from the Americas. His family, fleeing fascism in Italy, nearly took a tragic turn when they missed boarding the SS Principessa Mafalda—a ship that later capsized. Missing that boat literally changed the course of history, allowing Francis and his ten siblings to be born in Argentina instead of becoming a footnote in maritime disaster lore.

The Vatican announced Pope Francis's passing on April 21, 2025, the day after Easter Sunday. His burial plans, made over a decade earlier, now carry the quiet resonance of someone who believed in the importance of roots, faith, and a little bit of forward planning.