A Final Act of Humility: The Profound Simplicity of Pope Francis’ Tomb at St Mary Major

Photos of the tomb of Pope Francis that have been released since his funeral show a tomb that is the essence of the man who changed the modern papacy with his deep humility, unwavering compassion, love of the poor and the Gospel’s call to serve the least among us.

Rather, the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome — some six kilometres from St Peter’s Basilica — is where his final resting place is located. This was a long standing tradition broken by Jorge, and a personal, very personal choice.

Over a decade ago Pope Francis became head of the Catholic Church and died peacefully at the Saint Martha House in Vatican City at the age of 88 after an illness early on Monday morning.

The unhappy announcement was delivered by Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell with a moving statement that echoed the heart of Francis’s purpose as the leader of the church.

He pointed out how everything in Francis’ life was service, to the institutional Church but also to the forgotten and the marginalized and those whom society tends to shun.

He characterized Francis as a ‘true disciple of the Lord Jesus,’ a person whom pursued the Gospel values with faith and courage and with boundless love for all.

An enormous crowd attended the funeral on April 26 with estimates of up to 250,000 faithful and mourners at and around St Peter’s Square.

Rich with solemnity, prayer, and reflection of the life lived for the service of God and man, the service was led by Pope Francis’ successor. Francis’ burial itself was conducted privately by his wishes within the Basilica of St Mary Major despite the grandeur of his gathering.

Francis chose to be interred at St Mary Major instead of the traditional papal crypt beneath St Peter’s Basilica as this served as a meaningful representation.

The basilica which became a regular stop for Francis throughout his papacy due to his deep devotion toward Mary represents the largest Marian church in Rome.

After becoming the new pope in 2013 Francis started his papacy by traveling to this Marian shrine and asked Mary for divine help before officially starting his ministerial role.

The basilica held deep personal significance to him as he wanted to eternally rest inside its walls which demonstrates his spiritual values and priorities.

The burial site demonstrates the trait of modesty which defines him. The floor of the basilica shows a plain white marble stone engraved with the Latin naming “Franciscus” according to his papal title.

No grand inscriptions, no elaborate titles, no ornate decoration. The plain replication of Francis’ pectoral cross shows him as a shepherd who guides his church with gentle caretaking spirits because he did not see his position as a monarch.

One pure white rose rests on the top of his grave which symbolizes the sacred combination of love and purity along with the memory of his life. A warm illumination from a source reveals the resting area while establishing a peaceful reflection space.

Facilities welcome guests away from worldly admiration by reminding people about a life dedicated to serving others with humble love.

Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas from St Mary Major stated in PBS News reports that he initially considered Pope Francis for burial at this site starting in 2022.

The basilica’s architect stated that Francis viewed his modest interment with absolute firmness because he desired people to venerate the Madonna above all else.

The pontiff wanted pilgrims to find Mary the Mother of God instead of visiting his burial site when they visited the basilica.

During his life Francis consistently chose to shift focus from himself to the Gospel message and Jesus while discussing Christ and the Gospel.

Throughout his life Pope Francis made it his mission to carry out the values he taught through demonstrating humble practices of service to both poor communities and ordinary people.

Devout visitors at the resting place exhibit symbolic spiritual reactions. Visitors can be observed performing quiet prayers while kneeling and praying as well as quietly weeping and showing admiration by touching the marble memorial.

People visiting St Mary Major feel respectful reverence because the late pope tried to unify Catholicism with the ordinary people while eliminating traditional status symbols and restored its core values of kindness and humble service.

His final wishes to lie in rest within a humbly decorated tomb located at a sacred Marian sanctuary taught everyone that the true markers of greatness come from embracing both life and death with spiritual openness towards both God and fellow humanity.