In his memoir 'Hope: The Autobiography', Pope Francis reveals his intentions for his own funeral, expressing a preference for a simple service. He specifies burial at Santa Maria Maggiore rather than St. Peter's, asserting that the Vatican represents his last service rather than his eternal resting place. He requests a significant reduction in the funeral's ceremonies, aiming for a dignified yet humble farewell, emphasizing his role as a pastor rather than a worldly authority. This autobiography, the first by a pope, was published ahead of schedule due to its relevance for contemporary readers and the upcoming 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.
When it happens, I will not be buried in Saint Peter's but at Santa Maria Maggiore... The Vatican is the home of my last service, not my eternal home.
The funeral service was excessive, so I have arranged with the master of ceremonies to lighten it: no catafalque, no ceremony for the closure of the casket.
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