Vatican releases Pope Francis' spiritual testament

The Vatican has released the spiritual testament of Pope Francis I, which he wrote almost three years before his death on June 29, 2022. In it, the pontiff expressed his wishes regarding his burial place. The pontiff's will was published on the Vatican News portal.

Pope Francis reportedly left only instructions for his funeral, sacrificing the suffering that befell him in the last years of his life "for peace in the world."

Full text of Pope Francis' spiritual testament

Miserando atque Eligendo

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

FRANCIS

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, Pope Francis I died in the Vatican on April 21.

It was also reported that the death of Pope Francis was not related to bilateral pneumonia, with which the pontiff was hospitalized in mid-February 2025.