Pope Francis said he wanted to be buried in the Roman basilica of St. Mary Major, not in the Vatican caves like other popes, so that he could be near his favorite icon Madonna.
Francis, who turns 87 on Sunday, also said he had never considered resigning this year despite a series of health concerns.
He said he has a confirmed trip to Belgium next year and a trip under consideration to Polynesia and his native Argentina.
“It is true that all trips are now being rethought,” Francis told N+ of Mexican broadcaster Televisa. “If they are close, they can be done. If they are further away, they are reconsidered. There is a limit.”
It was Francis’ first interview since his latest bout of acute bronchitis, which forced the cancellation of a trip this month to Dubai to take part in a UN climate conference.
Francis, who had part of one lung removed at a young age, appears to be doing well and said he is now recovering and feeling well.
Although the pope’s job is for life, Francis reaffirmed the possibility of resignation and said he had to be prepared for any eventuality. “I asked God to say enough, at some point, but when He wants me to,” he said.
Francis has already said if he retires, as Pope Benedict XVI did in 2013, he wants to live outside the Vatican somewhere in Rome in a residence for retired priests.
Francis has long emphasized his role as bishop of Rome and has a special devotion to the icon of the Virgin Mary displayed in the basilica of St. Mary Major near Rome’s main train station.
After each trip, for example, Francis goes to the basilica to pray in front of the Salus populi Romani (Salvation of the Romans), a Byzantine-style painting featuring an image of Mary, wrapped in a blue robe, holding the baby Jesus who in turn holds a jeweled golden book.
Pope Francis reveals where he wants to be buried. Getty Images
“It is my great devotion,” Francis said, adding that he had already decided he wanted to be buried nearby in the basilica. “The place is already prepared.”
Francis suffered two bouts of bronchitis this year and was hospitalized for nine days in June to repair a stomach hernia and remove intestinal scar tissue. He has been in a wheelchair and cane for over a year due to strained knee ligaments.
Many popes are buried in tombs in the caves under the Basilica of St. Peter or in the side chapels of the basilica itself, including all the recent predecessors of Francis.
During the trip, Francis confirmed that a trip to his native Argentina was “pending” and that the country’s new president, Javier Milei, had invited him. Francis has been plagued by questions throughout his 10-year pontificate about why he did not return home, questions that have intensified in the wake of Milei’s unexpected victory.
During the campaign, the self-described “anarcho-capitalist” called Francis an “idiot” for defending social justice and “the representative of violence on Earth.”
Francis, who had a long chat with Milei after she won, seems to have forgiven her. little attention, but then it goes away by itself,” said Francis.
“You have to distinguish a lot between what a politician says in an election campaign and what he will do afterwards, because then comes the moment of concrete things, results.” Francis’ planned visit to Belgium is to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the country’s two main Catholic universities.
In a statement Wednesday welcoming Francis’ confirmation of the visit, the Belgian bishops said Francis was expected to stay a day or two, with a date yet to be determined.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
