The leader of the Catholic Church died Monday at the age of 88, just a day after celebrating Easter with a surprise appearance at St. Peter’s Square. The Vatican said he died from a stroke that caused a coma and led to irreversible heart failure. In the will, dated June 29, 2022, Francis wrote that with the “feeling that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching,” he wished to express his preferences only with regard to plans for his burial.
The full text of the will is as follows:
Feeling that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching and with lively hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my testamentary will only with regard to the place of my burial. 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 awaiting the day of resurrection in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
I wish that my last earthly journey conclude precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary where I went for prayer at the beginning and end of each Apostolic Journey to confidently entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mother and thank Her for her docile and maternal care.
I ask that my tomb be prepared in the niche of the side nave between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the aforementioned Papal Basilica as indicated in the enclosed attachment.
The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus.
The expenses for the preparation of my burial will be covered by the sum of the benefactor that I have arranged, to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and of which I have provided appropriate instructions to Mons. Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Chapter.
May the Lord give the deserved reward to those who have loved me and will continue to pray for me. The suffering that has become present in the last part of my life I have offered to the Lord for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples.
What are wills?
A will may be defined as a declaration in a prescribed manner of the intention of the person making it with regard to the matters which he wishes to take effect upon or after his death. As the late Pope demonstrated, wills go beyond the sharing of property and may mandate acts and provide instructions for events that will happen after a person’s death.
In Ghana, the making of wills is regulated by the Wills Act, 1971 Act 360. Under that law only a person 18 years and above may validly make a will. A will is not valid unless it is in writing, signed by the maker in the presence of two persons present at the same time. Witnesses are to attest the will in the presence of the testator. A maker of a will may direct another person to sign on their behalf in which case the maker and two persons must be present at the same time. Making a will is absolutely essential to avoid the challenges that persist with Ghana’s intestace succession regime.
