Pope Francis on why he’s being buried at St. Mary Major instead of St Peter’s

There are seven other Pope's also buried in St. Mary Major. Hit the link for some pictures of the burial site.

ROME // The cardinal stewarding Saint Mary Major Basilica, where Pope Francis will be buried, revealed this week that the pontiff initially intended to be buried in St. Peter’s Basilica, but changed his mind in 2022, saying Our Lady had inspired him.

The late Holy Father was known for his devotion to the Marian icon “Salus Populi Romani” (“Salvation of the Roman People”), which is housed in the St. Mary Major Basilica. He would pray before this Marian icon every time he was set to go on an international apostolic trip and every time he returned from one. 

Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, the co-Archpriest of St. Mary, said at a press conference outside the basilica April 25 that he had asked Pope Francis on May 13, 2022, if he was considering choosing St. Mary as the place for his tomb because of his strong devotion to the Marian icon. Only seven other popes are buried there. 

“No” was Pope Francis’ response that day, and he said that he thought popes have to be buried at St. Peter’s Basilica, the cardinal recalled.

One week later, the pontiff called Cardinal Makrickas and said he had changed his mind. 

The Pope said to the cardinal on the phone: “Mary told me, ‘Prepare your tomb,’” Cardinal Makrickas recalled. “And he added: ‘I am very glad that Mary didn’t forget me.’”