Pope Francis will be buried in Rome. It is the first burial of the last century of a Sovereign Pontiff that does not take place at the Vatican
Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, in Rome, being for the first time in the last century when a Pontiff is buried outside the Vatican.
The decision was made by the Pontiff Sovereign A year ago Catholic News Agency
The decision was taken by Pope Bergoglio himself more than a year ago, the reason being his huge devotion to the Virgin Mary and the special attachment for this church in the capital of Italy, according to News.ro.
The Sovereign Pontiff confessed at the time that he used to attend this church since he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, during a visit to Rome.
The place chosen by Pope Francis for his funeral in Santa Maria Maggiore would be very close to the icon Salus populi Romanians, who was so dear to him and which he has visited over a hundred times since he was a pontiff. This would be the niche at the entrance, to the left of the Paoline chapel, where Salus's icon is.
Sicriu, deposited in the chapel of his residence
The ritual of confirming Pope Francis's death will take place on Monday evening, at 21:00 (19:00 GMT), at his residence in the Santa Marta House, in the chapel to which he will be submitted, Agerpres reports.
The Vatican's Master of Ceremonies, Diego Ravelli, said in a statement that the coffin will be deposited in the chapel of his residence, as established during the life of the Pontiff, because before Francisc this took place in the chapel of the Apostolic Palace.
Saint Mary of Snow
The Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, also known as Santa Maria della Neve (Saint Mary of the Snow), is one of the four papal basilics in Rome, being a historical monument on the UNESCO list of world heritage, with the dedication on August 5.
Built during Emperor Constantine the Great, the church had several reconstructions. The current edifice was built during Pope Sixtus III, after in 431 the Synod of Ephesus proclaimed the Virgin Mary as “Birth of God ”which led to a flowering of the Marian cult. The construction has been erected between 432-440 and is kept so far.
In the fifth century, Pope Gregory the Great placed in this church the icon Salus Romani, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the protector of the people of Rome.
The mosaics in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore are considered representative for the Paleocreştine art, and inside the basilica are the tomb of the famous sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, whose exceptional architectural achievement is the colonnade that surrounds the market in front of the Saint Peter Basilica from the Vatican. The main function of this huge space was to host the crowd that gathered at the papal blessing and on other special occasions.
Numerous Roman Catholic Churches bears the dedication “Maria Zăpezii”with reference to the consecration of the basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. Among them, the Roman Catholic Church in Resita, the Franciscan Church in Cluj.
