Pope Francis desired to be buried at the Papal Basilica in Rome, dedicated to Mary,
Sancta Maria Maggiore, St. Mary Major. This basilica is likely have been constructed
soon after the Council of Ephesus, in 431. At the Council, the bishops affirmed the
traditional belief that the divine Person, Jesus, the Son of God, was conceived by the
Holy Spirit and born of Mary. The Council approved the title of Theotokos (“Mother of
God”) as an acceptable description of Mary’s role in the Incarnation. Until the nineteenth
century, the basilica was named for Mary, the Mother of God. “Sancta Maria Maggiore,”
indicates that the basilica is the major church dedicated to Mary.
The Basilica is home to an ancient Byzantine icon, entitled Salus Populi Romani,
“Protectress of the Roman People.” The wooden icon may date from the fifth century.
The icon is about five feet tall, indicating that it able to be carried in processions, as it
was carried through the streets of Rome by Pope Gregory during a pestilence, in 592
Mary is depicted holding the Child Jesus, who has a book. The Child looks to the
mother, who looks out to the viewer. The Greek letters at the top two sides are
abbreviations for “Mother of God.” The icon is especially dear to the Jesuits, as it was
loved by St. Ignatius Loyola, who celebrated his first Mass in its presence on Christmas,
- The Jesuits were allowed to make copies of the icon for their foreign missions.
On the evening of March 14, 2013, while Pope Francis was being presented to the
expectant crowds as the newly elected pope, he confided that on the following day he
would go to pray to Our Lady. The next morning, he went to Sancta Maria Maggiore and
knelt before the icon. Such a visit had long been his practice whenever he visited Rome.
He began each of his apostolic journeys to the nations of the world with a visit,
entrusting the journey to Our Lady. Upon his return to Rome, he would once again kneel
in thanksgiving. After Pope Francis was discharged from the Gemelli Hospital, on March
23, 2025, while returning to his residence, he brought a bouquet of flowers to be placed
before the icon. His last visit took on the Saturday before Palm Sunday. It is estimated
that Pope Francis made at least 126 visits to the holy icon.
Pope Francis exemplifies confidence in the motherly intercession of Mary for us, our
concerns, and our efforts to bring Christ to the world.
Denis Vincent Wiseman, O.P.