Pope Francis prays before a statue of the Virgin Mary near Piazza di Spagna in central Rome on December 8.
Today, December 13, Reuters reported that Pope Francis, who is about to turn 87 on December 17, revealed his funeral plans in an interview with N+ on the afternoon of December 12 during the Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
In the interview, recorded before presiding over a mass on Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis appeared to be recovering from a bout of bronchitis.
The head of the Holy See smiled frequently while discussing topics such as his health, his relationship with the late Pope Benedict XVI and future plans for apostolic visits.
Pope Francis has expressed hope to make three papal trips in 2024, to French Polynesia, Belgium, and his first trip to his native Argentina since he began leading the Vatican in 2013.
He also revealed that he is working with the Vatican's master of ceremonies on simplifying the rituals involved in the pope's funeral.
He also said that because of his love for the Virgin Mary, he decided to choose the resting place inside the crypt of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. This is also the church where Pope Francis always prays before and after completing his apostolic trips.
For over 100 years, popes have been buried within the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica.
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