▲ Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Italy
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, chosen by the late Pope Francis as his final resting place, is located on the Esquiline Hill in the center of Rome and is considered one of the four major basilicas in Rome.
It is widely known as the first church in Rome dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
In his lifetime, Pope Francis consistently visited this basilica to pray to the Virgin and seek grace before and after his overseas pastoral visits.
Just a day after his inauguration in 2013, he visited Santa Maria Maggiore to pray in front of a holy image, and on April 12, just nine days before his passing, he visited again to commemorate the beginning of Easter week with prayers in front of the icon.
In December 2023, Pope Francis designated Santa Maria Maggiore as his burial site, expressing his deep affection by stating, “Before becoming pope, I would always go there on Sunday mornings to take a brief rest. I have a great connection there.”
During his lifetime, Pope Francis frequently showed deep respect and affection for the icon ‘Salus Populi Romani’ (Salvation of the Roman People) located in this basilica.
This image, believed to have been painted by Saint Luke, a painter and physician, is known for performing a miracle by halting the spread of a plague during the Middle Ages in Rome.
Apart from Pope Francis, seven popes, including Clement IX who was interred in 1669, are buried here.
The remains of other notable figures, such as Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the architect and sculptor who designed St. Peter’s Square, are also housed in this location.
Built around 432, this basilica has undergone several expansions and reconstructions until the 19th century, showcasing a blend of Romanesque and Baroque architectural styles.
As the name indicates with ‘Santa Maria’ (Holy Mary), the church’s origin is deeply connected with the Virgin Mary.
According to legend, in 325, the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to a Roman noble couple who were unable to have children, telling them, “If you build a church where the snow falls tomorrow morning, your wish will be fulfilled.”
The couple shared this dream with Pope Liberius the next day, who reported having the same dream. They then searched for a snow-covered area and found Esquiline Hill covered in snow on an August night.
However, according to the Vatican, there are no traces of the Liberian Basilica that was believed to be built at that time.
The current Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore was supposedly built on a larger scale by Pope Sixtus III in 432 to emphasize the veneration of the Virgin Mary.
(Photo by Getty Images Korea)