Pope Francis’ will and cause of death revealed, as mystery benefactor pays for funeral
22 April 2025, 13:16 | Updated: 22 May 2025, 12:44
After his death on Easter Monday, Pope Francis’ last will and testament has been published by The Vatican.
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The Vatican has also revealed Pope Francis died from a cerebral stroke, which led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.
As the Vatican enters its nine-day mourning period, the late pontiff’s wishes for his burial and funeral have been published.
The will instructs a simple underground burial - but the late pontiff has entrusted the costs to an anonymous benefactor.
“The expenses for the preparation of my burial will be covered by the sum of the benefactor that I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore,” the will reads.
“I have provided appropriate instructions to Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Chapter.”
Read More: What happens now? How the Papal conclave elects a new Pope
Opting for a burial at St Major’s Basilica in Rome, Pope Francis has asked to be buried “without particular ornamentation” - just the inscription of his papal name in Latin: “Franciscus”.
This is rather than the traditional choice of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, where most pontiffs are buried.
The funeral is set to take place on Saturday April 26 at 9am (BST). Sir Keir Starmer, alongside other world leaders, has confirmed he will be attending.
