The funeral of Pope Francis was funded by an anonymous individual, with costs potentially reaching up to three million euros. Despite this significant expenditure, the amount remains lower than the expenses incurred during the funerals of previous Catholic Church leaders.
The Vatican has not disclosed an official figure, but international media reports speculate that the total cost may have ranged from 1.5 to three million euros, as indicated by the Spanish outlet ABC.
It is noteworthy that this amount is approximately half of what was spent on the funeral of Pope John Paul II two decades ago. Pope Francis had expressed a desire for a simpler ceremony.
Who covered these costs? Father Jorge Oliveira informed SIC Notícias that the funeral was “paid for by a person who wished to remain anonymous,” describing the event as “simple” and not pre-announced.
According to the Spanish publication 20minutos, the identity of the individual who assumed the funeral costs is unknown; however, they reportedly made the decision in 2022 and provided the necessary funds to the Church.
The website also suggests the Vatican might be aware of this benefactor’s identity, given that the pope’s testament indicated only the extraordinary commissioner of the papal basilica, Rolandas Makrickas, was entrusted with instructions on the payment process.
It should be highlighted that Pope Francis’s tomb had been prepared months in advance at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s five major basilicas.
The body of Pope Francis entered around 1:00 PM local time today into the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where, according to his express wish, he will be interred, rather than within the Vatican walls.
