A final prayer at the feet of the Virgin
Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis made a habit of praying before the icon of the Salus Populi Romani. Before and after each apostolic journey, he would come to share his fears, hopes, and thanks.
It is this intimate bond with the Virgin Mary that explains why he wanted his last earthly journey to end in this place of meditation, far from the gold and the tumult.
His tomb will be simple, without embellishment, bearing only a sober inscription:
Franciscus.
Like an old bench in a public park, simple but full of memories, his tomb will bear witness to his desire for humility.
A sober ceremony, faithful to its spirit
Pope Francis also planned to finance his funeral, so as not to burden the Church’s finances.
He entrusted this task to Bishop Rolandas Makrickas , with clear instructions to ensure the utmost discretion.
He did not fail to thank all those who supported him with their love and prayers, sending them a final gesture of gratitude.
Finally, in a final spiritual outburst, he offered all his suffering for world peace and unity among peoples, like a silent candle in a sleeping cathedral.
A timeless spiritual heritage
Through this testament, Pope Francis teaches us one final lesson: simplicity as the path to greatness.
Like Saint Francis of Assisi, whose name he chose to bear, he reminds us that the true mark we leave is not measured in cut stones, but in shared love.
At a time when appearances often take precedence over the essential, his humble farewell sounds like an invitation to return to what is true: to love, to serve and to hope.
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