by Anura Guruge
on December 13, 2023
It is PURELY a numbers game. How many tourist & PILGRIMS the deceased pope can attract to his burial site. IF Pope Francis was mega-popular like was ‘John Paul II‘ they would INSIST that he be buried in St. Peter’s, with most of the other VIP popes, so that they get MORE visitors — & with that donations & other REVENUE.
It is well known that John Paul II wished to be buried in Poland — but also knew, because he was quite savvy, that it would never happen. He was TOO MUCH of a DRAW.
Francis is liked BUT doesn’t have the following …
Hence, in terms of numbers it really wouldn’t matter where he was buried.
In a way it would be good for him to be buried at another Roman Basilica — so that that Basilica might get some additional traffic.
Even though, according to Wikipedia, “According to Francis, his tomb has already been constructed near the icon Salus Populi Romani, his devotion. [144]” at St. Mary Major basilica in Rome, odds are they’ll still bury him in St. Peter’s. That seems to be the trend.
As you noted, Francis is not particularly popular in some quarters in this country (including with myself), but he is more popular in countries where his “progressive” impulses are more appreciated. And of course among his flunkies in the hierarchy here in the US.
So I think it’s not a (cynical) question of “how many Euros will this get us?” if we bury him here or there. 🙂
The people who want to make a pilgrimage to his tomb will find a way to get there, even if they have to cross town to do it.
Will there be cries of “Santo Subito!” among those gathered at Bernini’s square when that day comes, like for JP2 and B16? Who can say.
As always good to hear from you. And as always you make a ton of sense. I was NOT aware of the Wikipedia entry which, given the date it quotes, was from yesterday. I saw the news on Google, yesterday. Hence the post.
Very presumptuous of him! Don’t think any RECENT popes, & I am only going back to J23, made any TOMB plans (a la Julis II).
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My PERCEPTION is that he is AVERAGE on the pope popularity scale — though more so with progressive.
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Yes, it is now the TREND to cry ‘Santo Subito!’ … but …
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If he had ANY SENSE (& of course that is a HUGE ‘IF’) he would have requested to be buried in Argentina. That would have made SO MANY 1sts.
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The Cardinals … all of them (?) … decide. My druthers is that he will get buried at Santa MM. I think he will go NICELY with Sixtus V. SMILE.
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Merry Christmas