In a poignant and unprecedented decision, Pope Francis has chosen the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore as his final resting place, breaking with the centuries-old tradition of papal burials within St. Peter's Basilica. This choice, deeply rooted in his profound devotion to the Virgin Mary and his special connection to this ancient basilica, illuminates the spiritual significance of St. Mary Major and the profound humility that characterized his papacy.

The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome stands as a majestic testament to faith, art, and history. As one of the four major papal basilicas, it holds a unique and cherished place within the Catholic world. 

These four major basilicas in Rome are:

St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City

The Archbasilica of St. John Lateran

The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

The Basilica of St. Mary Major

These basilicas, distinguished by their historical importance and special privileges granted by the Pope, serve as significant pilgrimage sites and embody centuries of religious devotion.

The very term "basilica" carries weight. Originally, in ancient Rome, a basilica was a public building used for law courts and other civic functions. However, with the rise of Christianity, the term was adopted for large and important churches. Today, a basilica is a church that has been accorded special ecclesiastical privileges by the Pope. These privileges often include the right to display the papal symbols – the ombrellino (a ceremonial umbrella) and the tintinnabulum (a small bell) – and a special precedence over other churches.

Beyond these distinctions, papal basilicas hold profound symbolic meaning. They represent the enduring presence of the Church throughout history, their grand architecture and intricate artwork telling stories of faith and devotion across millennia. They are centers of prayer, pilgrimage, and the celebration of key liturgical events, connecting the faithful to the heart of the Catholic tradition.

Among these esteemed basilicas, St. Mary Major holds a particularly tender significance, especially now as it prepares to become the final resting place of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025. His decision reflects a deeply personal connection to the Virgin Mary and a profound humility that characterized his papacy.

His devotion to the Virgin Mary was evident from the very beginning of his pontificate. Just a day after his election in 2013, he made an unannounced visit to St. Mary Major to pray before the revered icon of Salus Populi Romani, meaning "Protectress of the Roman People." This act set the tone for his papacy, and over the years, he returned to the basilica more than a hundred times, often before and after his international journeys and during pivotal moments of his leadership.

The basilica itself is steeped in Marian history and legend. Founded in 432 CE under Pope Sixtus III, it commemorates the Council of Ephesus (431 CE), which definitively affirmed Mary's title as Theotokos, or Mother of God. 

A captivating legend surrounds its establishment: it is said that the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to both Pope Liberius and a Roman couple, instructing them to build a church on the site where snow would miraculously fall in August. This miraculous snowfall on the Esquiline Hill on August 5th led to the basilica's construction, an event still commemorated annually with a symbolic "snowfall" of white petals within its walls.

St. Mary Major is not only a testament to faith but also a treasure trove of art and architecture. Its structure showcases a beautiful blend of styles, from the 14th-century Romanesque bell tower to the Renaissance coffered ceiling and the 18th-century Baroque facade. Inside, some of the oldest Christian mosaics in Rome, dating back to the 5th century, narrate captivating scenes from the Old Testament and the life of Christ. The basilica also houses the cherished icon Salus Populi Romani, a Byzantine image of the Virgin Mary believed to possess miraculous powers, and beneath the main altar lies the Crypt of the Nativity, containing relics believed to be from the manger of Jesus Christ.

Pope Francis's decision to be buried in St. Mary Major further elevates its significance. In his final testament, he requested a simple burial "in the ground, without particular decoration," marked only by his papal name in Latin, "Franciscus." He opted for a plain wooden coffin, eschewing the traditional triple-coffin burial. His chosen burial site, a former storeroom within the basilica, speaks volumes about his desire for modesty and his break from centuries of papal custom.

While St. Peter's Basilica is located within Vatican City, the other three major papal basilicas, including St. Mary Major, are situated in Rome but hold extraterritorial status under the Lateran Treaty. These major basilicas are not the only basilicas in Rome or associated with the Vatican. There are also "minor basilicas," which are granted special privileges by the Pope due to their historical significance, architectural beauty, or importance as centers of worship.

By choosing St. Mary Major as his final resting place, Pope Francis not only honors his profound devotion to the Virgin Mary but also leaves behind a powerful message of humility and simplicity – values that defined his impactful tenure as the leader of the Catholic Church. This basilica, already a beacon of faith and history, now carries the added weight of being the final earthly home of a beloved Pope, forever linking his legacy to its sacred walls.