Pope Francis will be buried in a plain wooden coffin outside of Vatican City at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. Six other popes are buried there also, although none after the 17th Century. St. Mary Major Basilica is not within Vatican City. Vatican City is impressive by design. Michelangelo’s La Pieta is there as is the breathtaking Sistine Chapel. The Pontifical Swiss Guards, all of whom looked to be first round NBA draft picks, are stationed in and around St. Peter’s Basilica and appear to have been chosen by their opaque facial expressions. Even non-Catholics are awed by the pomp and circumstance of Vatican City. In short, it is the antithesis of a wooden coffin. However, its ostentatiousness brings Pope Francis’ humility into sharp contrast.
The first pope I remember was Pius XII (1939-1958) who was succeeded by John XXIII (1958-1963), Paul VI (1963-1978), John Paul I (1978), John Paul II, (1978-2005), Benedict XVI (2005-2013) then Francis (2013-2025). Naturally, Francis, the most current, stands out as the best-known and most accessible to us in 2025. The modern media age makes all world leaders more ubiquitous and familiar.
But it was not the media that created Pope Francis’ character of humility and grace. The record and memory of the original Francis of Assisi guided the ecumenical kindness and inclusiveness of Pope Francis. When one travels to the town of Assisi in the Papal State of Umbria, Italy, the tomb of St. Francis has the look and feel of acceptance and equality. Pope Francis chose his name carefully.
Pope Francis appeared to open his heart to all without reservation as to status, wealth, sexuality or frailty. As Francis often said, “Who am I to judge?”; the Vicar of Christ indeed. Pope Francis dedicated his leadership of over one billion Catholics as well as his concern for countless Muslims, Jews, pagans, non-believers and other Christians to the causes of peace and human suffering throughout the earth. When the smoke from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel turns white, it will be good for us all, Catholics, atheists and sinners of all beliefs, if a third Francis can be found to lead the way forward.
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