FACT: The Pope is buried in the church Santa Maria Maggiore

The Pope is buried in the church Santa Maria Maggiore, the first pope in more than a hundred years to do so.

Learn more about the church where Pope Francis is buried on Saturday, April 26:

* Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the four main churches in Rome.

* The church was founded in the year 432.

* Pope Francis is the eighth out of 266 popes, who are buried in the church.

* The last pope who was buried outside the Vatican was Leo the 13th, who died in 1903.

* Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest Marian church in Rome.

* Santa Maria Maggiore is located approximately four kilometers from the Vatican. The church had a special significance for Pope Francis due to his devotion to Mary. He prayed in the church before embarking on overseas journeys.

* Pope Francis has previously stated about the church: "I have always had a great devotion to Santa Maria Maggiore, even before I became pope."

* It is evident from Pope Francis' testament that he "wishes to be buried in the earth without special decoration."

* The church houses seven deceased popes and numerous religious figures. This includes Cardinal Bernard Law. He was previously archbishop and became notorious for his role in covering up sexual abuse of children by priests.

* The following seven popes were previously buried in Santa Maria Maggiore: Pope Honorius the 3rd (1148-1227), Pope Nicholas the 4th (1227-1292), Pope Pius the 5th (1504-1572), Pope Sixtus the 5th (1521-1590), Pope Clement the 8th (1536-1605), Pope Paul the 5th (1552-1621) and Pope Clement the 9th (1600-1669).

* Santa Maria Maggiore has a ceiling made of gold leaf, which is said to have been brought from America by Christopher Columbus.

* Before the entrance to the chapel in the church is a statue of Mary. It was commissioned by Pope Benedict the 15th in 1918 to pray to God to end World War I.

* The church has the highest bell tower in Rome at 75 meters. It was built in 1377.

* Santa Maria Maggiore is known for its mosaics, which tell stories from the Old Testament. The mosaic is one of the oldest and most intact Christian mosaic art.

Sources: Reuters, Ritzau, Catholic News Agency and Denmark's National Lexicon.

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