The mysterious donor who paid for Pope Francis' funeral

BarcelonaIt is not the Catholic Church or the Vatican that paid for Pope Francis's funeral, but an anonymous benefactor. The pontiff himself left this written in his will, dated June 29, 2022, where he stated that this mysterious figure would fully assume the costs of his funeral.

"The expenses for the preparation of my burial will be covered by the sum provided by the benefactor. I have provided relevant instructions to Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Chapter," the Pope stated in his will.

Neither his name, his origin, nor the reasons that led this person to pay for the funeral have been revealed, but the Vatican press office has confirmed that the donation has already been made. The payment was made directly at the Basilica of St. Mary Major and under the supervision of Archbishop Makrickas.

This discretion contrasts with the transparency with which The Pope left details of his funeral in his willA funeral with a clear intention of being a more humble ceremony than those of his predecessors. The Pope specified that his tomb should be "on the ground, simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus." He also asked to renounce the tradition of the three traditional coffins (cypress, lead, and oak) and opt for a single wooden coffin with a zinc interior.

Even the titles used during the ceremony should reflect his humility: he wants to be remembered as "Bishop of Rome" and "Pastor," avoiding the title of "Roman Pontiff." He also left written that he did not want to be buried in St. Peter's Basilica, the usual place for popes, but in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, due to his deep devotion to the Virgin.

"I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest while we await Holy Day," Francis wrote.

How much will Pope Francis' funeral cost?

Although no specific figures have been released regarding the cost of Pope Francis's funeral, everything indicates that it will be much more modest than that of John Paul II in 2005. According to the Vatican's official account, John Paul II's funeral and the conclave to elect his successor, Benedict XVI, cost around 7 million euros. This included the religious ceremonies, logistics, and the extensive security measures deployed during those days.