Pope Francis revealed burial wishes just days after becoming pope in 2013

Just a fewer days aft becoming pope, Pope Francis revealed his burial wishes upon his death.

In March 2013, Pope Francis was elected during a conclave by the Cardinals of the Catholic Church pursuing Pope Benedict XVI’s determination to measurement down amid wellness concerns.

"It was his content that helium whitethorn not unrecorded precise long," Neomi DeAnda, a trained constructive theologian, told Fox News Digital. "He was already successful his 70s erstwhile helium was elected pope, and helium wanted to beryllium prepared erstwhile God called him home."

WHO COULD BE THE NEXT POPE?

Pope Francis selected the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore arsenic his last resting spot conscionable days aft being elected pope successful 2013. (Yara Nardi/Reuters)

DeAnda holds a Ph.D. successful theology from Loyola University successful Chicago, a master's successful theology from the Oblate School of Theology and a master's successful theology from St. Mary's University successful Texas. She is an adept successful Latin American studies and connected Mary successful Latin America.

"He did not cognize however overmuch longer helium would live, and since helium was chosen pope astatine an older age, helium decidedly did not expect to person specified a agelong papacy," DeAnda said. "He wanted to person his wishes disposable successful lawsuit God called him home."

Pope Francis selected the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore arsenic his last resting place.

"It has immoderate value for his grandparents," DeAnda told Fox News Digital. "His grandparents were the ones who immigrated to Argentina with his dada and, I judge that they lived adjacent to and visited that Basilica."

WHAT IS THE PAPAL CONCLAVE: INSIDE THE ANCIENT PROCESS OF CHOOSING THE NEXT POPE

Pope Francis met with Vice President JD Vance connected Easter Sunday, conscionable hours earlier helium passed away. (Vatican Media via AP)

On March 13, 2013, Pope Francis appeared for the archetypal clip successful nationalist arsenic pope astatine the Basilica.

"That has been his favourite spot to visit," DeAnda said. "It's a spot that helium goes to each clip that helium is going connected a trip. He goes determination to commune earlier helium goes connected a trip."

Pope Francis, calved Jorge Mario Bergoglio successful Argentina, was the archetypal pope from the American continents.

His household escaped facism successful Italy and fled to Argentina, according to his autobiography.

"There is simply a large communicative astir however they were trying to committee a definite boat, a definite vessel for their migrant travels, and they did not marque that vessel due to the fact that they were not capable to merchantability each their goods," DeAnda said of Pope Francis’ dada and grandparents. "That vessel is called the SS Principessa Mafalda."

CLICK HERE TO GET TO THE FOX NEWS APP

Pope Francis often visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a spot that reminded him of his family. (Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty)

DeAnda added that the vessel meant to transportation Pope Francis’ household capsized.

"It’s imaginable that his grandparents would person died connected that ship," DeAnda said. "They made it connected that ship, and past we get Francis and his 10 siblings due to the fact that of that."

The Vatican revealed that Pope Francis passed distant connected April 21, 2025, the time aft Easter Sunday.