Pope Francis said this week that a “place is already prepared” for him to be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and not — as has been the custom of popes for over a century — at the Vatican.

(RNS) — Pope Francis asked to be buried in St. Mary Major, close to the most important icon of Mary, the Salus Populi Romani. VATICAN CITY (RNS) — After the pomp of his funeral in St. Peter’s Square ...