The Vatican reveals the ultimate wish of Pope Francis, the president of the Catholic Church who died Monday morning.
Naija News The report said that the 88-year-old Pontiff, born in Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, outlined his funeral instructions, preferred locations and final prayers and outlined them in a document written in 2022.
Pope Francis laid his instructions for his final resting place with a humble and reflective gesture, marking an intimate moment in his personal journey of faith. The document has remained private to date, illuminating the pope’s ultimate desire for the Catholic Church and his legacy.
Read the full text below:
“The will of his holy pope Francis
“In the name of the holiest trinity. Amen.
“Sense that the end of my worldly life is approaching and full of hope in eternal life, I wish to express my will, only at the place where I bury it.
“I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and bishop ministry to Mary, the mother of the Lord.
“I hope that my last earthly journey will end in this ancient Marian Shelter, and I pray at the beginning and end of each apostle journey to confidently entrust my intentions to the perfect mother and thank her meekness and mother’s care.
“I asked my grave to prepare in the small territory between Pauline Chapel (the church of Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza church of the aforementioned Pope Cathedral.
“The grave must be on the earth; simple, without special decoration, the only inscription: franciscus.
“The cost of preparing for burial will be the sum of the benefactors who have arranged to be transferred to the Pope Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, and I have provided proper instructions for Mons.
“May the Lord give the rewards that those who love me and who will continue to pray for me deserve. The suffering that last part of my life is provided to the Lord for the brotherhood in the world and in the people.
“Santa Mata, June 29, 2022.”
