Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to US Envoy Morgan Ortagus: Southerners must be enabled to return to their homes and rebuild
Syrian sources: The Israeli occupation has begun withdrawing from the areas it infiltrated last night in the Quneitra countryside.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Massive bombings in eastern Gaza, the second within half an hour, and its sound was heard from central area.
Russian air defense units destroyed a drone that was heading toward Moscow.
Maduro: Tomorrow, a business meeting will be held bringing together hundreds of entrepreneurs from advanced Russian industries with hundreds of Venezuelan businesspeople.
Maduro: In the face of threats, Trinidad and Tobago agreed to suspend all effects of the energy agreement and everything that had been agreed upon in that regard.
Maduro: It’s time to make a choice, either stand with the warmongers who want death and violence, or stand with life.
Maduro: They want our wealth. This is not about drug trafficking, and they know it.
Maduro: Everyone in the world knows that what the economic elite ruling the United States seeks today is Venezuela’s oil, gas, and gold.

Pope Francis died of stroke, willed to be buried in Rome

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 Apr 2025 23:04
3 Min Read

Pope Francis expressed his wish not to be buried in the traditional papal tombs within the Vatican in a final testament unsealed on Monday.

Listen
  • x
  • Faithful gather for a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Monday April 21, 2025 (AP)
    Faithful gather for a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Monday April 21, 2025 (AP)

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88 of a stroke and irreversible heart failure, according to Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State.

The Holy See announced the pontiff’s death earlier on Monday, confirming that he passed away at 5:35 GMT in his residence at Casa Santa Marta, inside Vatican City. Arcangeli revealed in the official death certificate published by the Vatican that prior to his death, Pope Francis had fallen into a coma.

A humble burial outside the Vatican

In a spiritual testament released on the same day, Pope Francis expressed his wish not to be buried in the traditional papal tombs within the Vatican. Instead, he requested to be laid to rest in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, a site with deep Marian significance and personal devotion throughout his papacy.

"I ask that my mortal remains rest — awaiting the day of the Resurrection — in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major," the testament read.

The pope also specified that his tomb should be simple, placed directly in the ground, without ornate decorations, and bearing only the inscription: "Franciscus."

What happens now?

Related News

Pope Leo XIV calls for press freedom, release of jailed journalists

White smoke rises: US Cardinal Prevost elected Pope Leo XIV - Vatican

The Catholic Church is entering a critical transitional phase as the College of Cardinals prepares to convene at the Vatican to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away Monday at the age of 88. 

The papal conclave traditionally begins 15 to 20 days after the pope’s death, allowing time for funeral rites and a nine-day mourning period.

The conclave proceedings, held in the Sistine Chapel, attract global attention as the Church faces growing challenges, including declining influence in the West and rising prominence in the Global South.

The new pope will be tasked with navigating a delicate balance between reformist and conservative factions. Urgent priorities include addressing issues of transparency, governance, and adapting to global social changes, all amid ongoing demographic shifts and theological debates within the Church.

Long, difficult battle

Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and first Latin American pontiff, passed away on Monday at the age of 88 after a long battle with health issues, including double pneumonia.

The Vatican confirmed the news in a statement issued by Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

“Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Farrell said via the Vatican's Telegram channel.

“This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His church.”

Legacy of reform 

When Francis ascended to the papacy, the Catholic Church was reeling from decades of sexual abuse scandals and internal divisions.

He worked to revise canon law and open leadership roles in Vatican offices to laypeople.

His later years saw growing opposition from conservative cardinals, especially during the Vatican’s Synod in late 2023, part of a wide-ranging global consultation on the Church’s future, a process that now remains unfinished.

  • Vatican
  • Pope Francis
  • Rome
  • Catholic Church

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Delta Air Lines flight lands at Harry Reid International Airport, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Las Vegas (AP)
Politics

Nearly 3,800 US flights disrupted amid ongoing government shutdown

FILE - The Amazon logo is pictured at the Amazon Robotic Sorting Fulfillment Center in Madison County, Miss., Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Economy

Amazon to cut 30,000 jobs in largest layoff in company history

Eurofighter Typhoon Spain's Air Force fighter jets fly above the military parade marking 'Día de la Hispanidad', or Hispanic Day, in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP)
Politics

UK sells 20 Eurofighter jets to Türkiye in £8bln defense agreement

Smoke billows after drone strikes by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the northern port in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, Sudan, May 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

RSF tighten El Fasher siege as Sudan risks fragmentation: Reuters

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS