Though not exactly unexpected, there is shock at the death of Francis, sadness, and prayers for the Church as she moves forward in hope for her future in Christ. Just yesterday, despite his apparent frailty, I was celebrating the Pope's continuing recovery from life-threatening pneumonia! I never thought today I would be mourning his death. I am using the news article rather than writing something myself. I have to agree that the timing of Francis' death is striking. To complete Holy Week and then to die on Easter Monday is literally remarkable. May we all live our lives in light of Francis' life and values. They were quintessentially Christian. I wish readers here the peace of the Risen Lord, knowing that death does not have the last word!
Archdiocese of Glasgow
April 21 at 11:31 AM ·
The Vatican has tonight published the late Pope’s death certificate which records the cause of death this morning as a stroke, leading to coma and heart failure .
Also published is his strikingly simple final testament detailing his wishes for burial outside the Vatican near the shrine to Our Lady where he often went to pray. It reads:
In the name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.
As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial.
Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest - awaiting the day of the Resurrection - in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.
I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.
The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.
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. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.
May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.
Santa Marta, 29 June 2022
FRANCISCUS
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