Pope Francis has disclosed that he has chosen to be buried not in St Peter’s Basilica alongside his immediate predecessors but in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. This decision revealed in an interview with Mexican broadcaster Televisa’s N+ streaming service, makes Francis the first pope in over a century to opt for a burial outside the Vatican.
Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the four papal basilicas in Rome, and Francis expressed a “special connection” with it, often visiting before becoming pope. The decision is part of his plan to break from tradition, following in the footsteps of Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903 and is buried in the Basilica of St John the Lateran.
The pope, who turns 87 soon, also mentioned in the interview that he intends to visit Belgium in 2024 and expresses a desire to visit his native Argentina and Polynesia. Pope Francis has faced health challenges, recently canceling a visit to COP28 climate talks due to bronchitis.
In the interview, he commended his predecessor, Benedict XVI, for having the courage to resign in 2013 due to health issues. Benedict’s funeral occurred in St Peter’s Basilica and was buried in the tomb under the church. While Francis expressed openness to stepping down if he could no longer perform his duties, he emphasized that resigning should not become a routine for popes.
Finland Reopens Two Border Crossings With Russia
Meanwhile, Petteri Orpo, Finland’s Prime Minister, has announced the reopening of two out of the eight closed border crossings with Russia, as reported by Finland’s Yle broadcaster.
The decision to close the entire border in November was a response to accusations against Moscow for directing asylum seekers toward Finland, an EU nation that joined NATO following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year.
Originally set to expire on Wednesday, these closures will now see Vaalimaa and Niirala reopened, according to Interior Minister Mari Rantanen.
These crossings will operate until January 14, 2024, although Rantanen cautioned that any resurgence in undocumented migration from Russia could prompt their closure before that date.
The selection of Vaalimaa and Niirala for reopening, according to Mikko Lehmus of the Finnish Border Guards analytical unit, aims to facilitate family visits across the border.
However, Russia, sharing a 1,340-kilometer border with Finland, has cautioned about potential “countermeasures” following Helsinki’s shift from its long-standing policy of military non-alignment upon joining NATO.
