Pope Francis confessed before dying that the Virgin Mary told him to “prepare your tomb” during a prayer experience in 2022, leading him to choose burial in Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica instead of St. Peter’s.

Key details:

Message received: During prayer, he reported the Virgin’s instruction: “Prepárate la tumba” (“Prepare your tomb”).

Last words: To his nurse after his final public appearance: “Gracias por traerme de vuelta a la plaza [San Pedro]” (“Thank you for bringing me back to [St. Peter’s] Square”).

Final public message: A plea for peace in Gaza and against antisemitism during his Easter blessing.