The Pope wants to simplify the rites of papal funerals, to be buried outside the Vatican

VATICAN CITY, Dec 13 (Reuters) – Pope Francis, who rejected most of the Vatican’s pomp and ceremony, has decided to greatly simplify the funeral rites for a pontiff and become the first person to be buried. outside the Vatican in more than. century.

The pope, who will turn 87 on Sunday, announced plans for his funeral in an interview with Mexico’s N+ television station Tuesday evening to mark the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. .

In an interview with the reporter of the Vatican, Valentina Alazraki, was recorded before the pope led a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, Francis appeared to have recovered from bronchitis.

He often laughs while discussing topics such as his health, travel, his relationship with Pope Benedict XVI, and travel plans. He says he is in good health but asks for prayer as he faces the limitations of age.

Francis revealed that he worked with the Vatican’s master of ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, to facilitate many of the funeral ceremonies for a pope that were used for his ancestors.

Since his election in 2013, Francis has rejected the red “mozzetta”, decorated with feathers, and does not even wear a gold cross, but he has placed around his neck the same thing as a dangerous silver plate he used it as the archbishop of Buenos Aires. .

He also did not use the red “fisherman’s shoes” used by his ancestors. He kept the simple black shoes he usually used and wore a plastic watch, giving others away so they could be sold for charity.

LIFE ‘LOST’, ‘LOOKED’.

Francis said because of his devotion to Mary, the Mother of God, he decided to be buried in Rome in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he often goes to pray before and after his trips to outside. The funeral Mass itself is expected to be held in St. Peter’s Square.

Many popes are buried in the vault below St. Peter’s Basilica. The last pope to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII, who died in 1903 and is buried in the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.

Francis said he would be prepared to resign – as Benedict did in 2013 – if his health worsened, but also believed that papal resignations should not become routine.

He suggested that since Benedict’s death last year, he may have become less patient and more adamant about his scornful followers of the pope. their leader is dead, and they say that sometimes “there are some you have to stand up to”. .

Francis made an indictment against two US lawmakers last month.

Asked about his health, he said: “I feel better, I feel better. Sometimes I’m told I’m not sensible because I feel like doing things and moving around poem. “.

Bronchitis forced Francis to cancel a trip to Dubai this month to attend the COP28 climate summit. He had surgery in June to repair his stomach and appears to have fully recovered from the surgery.

He said he intended to make three trips next year, somewhere in Polynesia, in Belgium, and in his native Argentina for his first visit there since his election in 2013.

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