Pope Francis's final wishes as Vatican releases pontiff's testament in full

The Vatican has released Pope Francis's final spiritual testament which gives indications for his burial. The Pope, 88, from a stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure.

The Vatican has now released the Pope's testament in full, dated June 29, 2022. In it, the head of the Catholic Church writes that he wishes to be buried in St Mary Major Basilica, Rome, in a "simple" underground tomb "without particular ornamentation", making him the first pontiff to be buried away from the Vatican in more than a century. He will be the first Pope to be buried at the basillica since 1669.

The Pope's testament reads in full: "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."

Pope Francis died just a day after he spoke from the balcony in St Peter's Square in the Vatican on Easter Sunday.

Mourners gathered in the square on Monday for a rosary prayer for the pontiff. Hundreds prayed in unison, with many crying.

Pope Francis had made a number of public appearances in recent weeks following a with earlier this year.