Goa, April 22 -- Pope Francis has revealed plans for a modest funeral and his wish to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, a site deeply meaningful to him throughout his papacy. In an interview with a Mexican broadcaster last year, the Pope expressed his desire to rest eternally in the historic basilica, according to The New York Times.

Santa Maria Maggiore holds special significance for Pope Francis. He visited the basilica the day after his election in 2013 and made it a personal tradition to pray there before and after every international trip, particularly before the revered icon of the Virgin Mary, Salus Populi Romani, known as the Protector of the People of Rome.

In line with his humble approach, Pope Francis...