The Pope does not want to be buried in St. Peter's Basilica.

In an interview, Pope Francis spoke about how, despite his health problems, he never thought of resigning, leaving his departure to the will of God. In an interview given to the Mexican television N+, which was published by the Italian press on Wednesday morning, the head of the church also revealed that

he does not want to be buried in St. Peter's Basilica.

Pope Francis voiced it, keeping in mind his predecessor, XVI. Benedict's decision, but he asks the Lord to say that it was enough, whatever moment the Lord wants it to happen. The Pope indicated that XVI. In February 2013, Benedek left the post of head of the church by his own decision, citing his physical weakness. XVI. Benedict was the second pope in the history of the church to resign. The German pope retired to a Vatican monastery, where he died on December 31 last year.

He is also considering the Argentine route

"XVI Benedek was a great man, a humble man who, when faced with his own limitations, had the courage to say enough is enough. I consider him a role model"

said Pope Francis.

The 86-year-old head of the church emphasized that when a person grows old, he must start preparing.

Pope Francis added that he had already given instructions regarding his funeral. Unlike most of his predecessors, he wants his tomb to be placed in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, not in St. Peter's Basilica. The Argentine pope has a close relationship with the second largest basilica in Rome, where the icon of the Virgin Mary, who protects the city, is kept. Pope Francis used to pray at this holy image before and after his travels. Five popes, Pius V, Sixtus V, XIII. Clement, Paul V and IX. Clement was buried. Pope Francis also revealed that he is working on simplifying papal funeral rites.

"My funeral will be the main rehearsal of the new ceremony"

he declared.

The journalist who conducted the interview, Valentina Alazraki, wrote on her social media page that the conversation was made on the occasion of the December 12 feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, which is especially revered in Spanish-speaking South American countries. Pope Francis confirmed that he received an invitation from the new Argentine President Javier Milei. The head of the church assessed Milei's previous statements as having been made in the heat of the election campaign. As Argentina's presidential candidate, Javier Milei called the archbishop of Argentine origin a murderous communist and an accomplice of the devil, among other things. Pope Francis said he is planning a visit abroad in 2024, he will travel to Belgium, but he is also considering a trip to Argentina and Polynesia.

"Jesus was also a migrant"

In the interview, Pope Francis also addressed the issue of migration that also affects the American continent. He emphasized that it is a human and Christian law to accept and integrate migrants. He reminded that he himself is descended from Italians who emigrated to Argentina. "Jesus was also a migrant," said Pope Francis.

He called it unfortunate that the events of the war in Ukraine have become "as common as morning coffee" while people, including many young people, are dying.

He repeated that war is always a defeat, and the only winners are the arms manufacturers. He said that he is in constant contact with the parish of the Catholic church in Gaza, where six hundred people have found shelter. Pope Francis stated that he was thinking of mothers who are informed by letter in wars that their son was a hero but died. "Heroines are these mothers whose sons are kidnapped by war," declared Pope Francis, recalling how many tens of thousands of young people lost their lives in both the First and Second World Wars, for example during the Normandy landings. He noted that history has not changed much.

(MTI)

Featured image: MTI/EPA/ANSA/Vatican Media