World

Vatican makes public the Pope’s will

The spiritual testament of Pope Francis, who died yesterday at the age of 88, has been made public. The document was drawn up almost three years before the death of the pontiff. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Vatican News.

Francis’s will of June 29, 2022, specifies the place of his future burial – in the Basilica of St. Mary the Great. It is also noted that the grave should only bear the name of the 266th Pope: “Francis” (Franciscus).

We publish the full text of the document, which was published by the Vatican’s news portal:

“In the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.

Feeling that the end of my earthly life is approaching, and with a lively hope for Eternal Life, I wish to express my cherished will only as to the place of my burial.

I have always entrusted my life, priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of our Lord, the Blessed Mary. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest in anticipation of the day of resurrection in the Pontifical Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I wish that my last earthly journey would end in this very ancient Marian shrine, where I came to pray at the beginning and end of each Apostolic Journey, to entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mother with trust and to thank her for her tender and maternal care.

Please prepare for me a tomb in the niche of the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salvation of the Roman People) and the Sforza Chapel of the above-mentioned Pontifical Basilica, as indicated in the attached appendix.

The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without much decoration and with a single inscription: “Franciscus”.

The costs of preparations for my burial will be covered by a charitable donation, which I have directed to be given to the Pontifical Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and have instructed Archbishop Rolandas Makritskas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Capitol.

May the Lord give a well-deserved reward to those who loved me and never stopped praying for me. I offer the sufferings that I have endured in the last part of my life to the Lord for world peace and brotherhood among nations.

St. Martha’s House, June 29, 2022. Francis.”

The death of Pope Francis

Pope Francis died on April 21 at his residence in the Vatican’s Santa Marta House. He was 88 years old. He was the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church and had held this position since March 13, 2013.

In the evening, the Vatican released the official version of Francis’ death, saying that the Pope died of a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse (a condition where the heart and blood vessels completely stop working and it is no longer possible to restore their function).

Who is Pope Francis?

Pope Francis, born in Argentina, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, became the first Jesuit Pope and the first Latin American to occupy the throne of St. Peter. His pontificate began in 2013, after the resignation of Benedict XVI. Francis has gone down in history as a spiritual leader who has emphasized social justice, protection of the poor, and the environment.

What happens after the Pope’s death?

After the death of the Pope, the Vatican enters a period of sede vacante, when the College of Cardinals takes over the governance of the Church. Traditionally, this period lasts 15-20 days, during which the cardinals prepare for a conclave – a secret vote to elect a new pope. Here are the main stages:

1. Official confirmation of the Pope’s death
   The Cardinal-Camerlengo, currently Kevin Farrell, officially confirms the Pope’s death by reciting his baptismal name three times (in the case of Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio). The Fisherman’s Ring, a symbol of papal power, is then destroyed.
2. Funeral arrangements
   The funeral of Pope Francis will take place 4-6 days after his death, most likely in St. Peter’s Square. At Francis’s request, he will be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, which is a deviation from the tradition of burial in St. Peter’s Basilica.
3. Preparations for the conclave
   Cardinals from all over the world are gathering in the Vatican for the so-called general congregations, meetings to discuss the needs of the Church and the challenges the new pope will face. These meetings also include organizational matters, such as preparing the Sistine Chapel for the vote.