First In 100 Years, The Pope Wants To Be Buried Outside The Vatican And Simplify Funeral Ceremonies

Pope Francis. (Wikimedia Commons/Xonn)

JAKARTA - World Catholic Church leader Pope Francis wants to simplify the complex papal funeral ceremony and become the first Pope to be buried outside the Vatican for more than a century.

The 87-year-old whale this weekend revealed plans for his funeral in an interview with Mexico's N+ television set on Tuesday night, to commemorate the Mother Mary of Guadalupe.

In an interview with the network's correspondent at the Vatican recorded before the Pope presided over the Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis appears to have recovered from his bronchitis.

He often laughed when discussing topics such as his health, migration, his relationship with the late Pope Benedict XVI and travel plans. He said his health was good, but asked for prayers as he continued to grow older.

Pope Francis said he had spoken with the leader of the papal liturgical and head of the Sistin Chapel Choir Archbishop Diego Ravelli, to simplify the complicated papal Funeral ceremony.

This desire is in line with Pope Francis' simplicity. Since being elected in 2013, he has not worn a dark red robe or robe with coatings, nor does he wear a golden cross, but has still draped the same faded silver-plated necklace as he used when he served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires.

He has also never used the luxurious red "fisher shoes" used by his predecessors. He stores simple black shoes that he always wears and wears a plastic watch, which has recently been auctioned off for charity.

Pope Francis also said that along with his obedience to the Virgin Mary, he decided to be buried in Rome's Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. It is Pope Francis' prayer house every before and after an overseas trip. The mass funeral itself is expected to be held in St. Peter's Square.

Pope Francis' wish will follow in the footsteps of the last Pope buried outside the Vatican, Leo XIII. He died in 1903 and was buried in St. Basilica. Yohanes Lateran, Rome, Italy. Meanwhile, the other Pope at that time was buried under St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

Pope Francis said he was ready to resign, as Pope Benedict XVI did in 2013, if his health worsened. However, he also believes that the Pope's resignation should not be commonplace.

"I feel fine, I feel better. Sometimes I'm told I'm not careful because I want to do something and move. I think that's a good sign, right? I'm pretty good," he said when asked about his health condition.

Pope Francis canceled his trip to Dubai this month to attend the COP28 Climate Summit due to bronchitis. Previously, he underwent surgery in June to repair a stomach hernia and appeared to have fully recovered from the operation.

The Pope also hopes to travel three trips next year, namelyELAH, Belgium, as well as the first visit to his hometown, Argentina, since being elected in 2013.