Pope Francis, known for his devotion to the Virgin Mary, will be buried in Rome's Santa Maria Maggiore basilica. He frequently visited this church, dedicated to Mary, before and after foreign trips. The decision to be interred there, revealed by the basilica's senior priest, followed a conversation where the Pope stated the Virgin Mary had instructed him to prepare his tomb. The basilica, one of Rome's four major basilicas and near the city center, holds other papal tombs and significant religious artifacts. Thousands have already visited the site to pay their respects.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.