Pope Francis’ tomb in the Basilica of St Mary Major has been constructed using materials from the Italian region of Liguria, a nod to his family heritage.
Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Coadjutor Archpriest of the Basilica, revealed in a televised statement that Pope Francis had expressed his wish to be buried in a tomb made from the “stone of Liguria, the land of his grandparents.”
Vatican said the tomb is marked with a simple inscription, “Franciscus,” and features a reproduction of the late Pope’s pectoral cross.
The Pope’s final resting place is located near the Altar of St Francis, nestled in the niche of the side nave between the Pauline Chapel (Salus Populi Romani Chapel) and the Sforza Chapel.
Other wishes made by Pope Francis were that his body rests in a simple wooden casket.
This is as opposed to the customary bier, with a zinc lining instead of the traditional cypress, lead and oak layers, symbolising his desire for simplicity and humility even in death.
The funeral mass for Pope Francis will take place Saturday, April 26, at 10 am, at St Peter’s Square.
It will mark the beginning of the Novemdiales, an ancient tradition of nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of the late Pope’s soul.
The Novemdiales Masses will be held each day at 5 pm (GMT +2) in St Peter’s Basilica, except for the Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, which will take place at 10:30 am in St Peter’s Square.
The Pope’s body has been laying in state on Tuesday. His coffin will be sealed during a liturgical rite held in St Peter’s Basilica on Friday, April 25, at 8 pm.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside at the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin of the late Pope Francis.
The liturgical rite will be attended by several Cardinals and Holy See officials.
