Beyond the Vatican Walls: Where Rest the Popes Not Interred in St. Peter's Basilica
For many, the image of a Pope's final resting place conjures up the grandeur of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. It's the spiritual heart of the Catholic Church, a monumental testament to faith and history, and home to the tombs of many of its most prominent leaders. However, the narrative of papal burials isn't as singular as one might assume. While St. Peter's Basilica holds a significant number of papal tombs, a surprising number of Popes throughout history have been laid to rest elsewhere. So, which Popes are not buried in St. Peter's Basilica, and where can their final resting places be found?
The reasons for these differing burial locations are as varied as the centuries of papal history themselves. Factors such as political upheaval, schisms, the destruction of earlier basilicas, and even personal preferences have all played a role in determining where a Pope's earthly remains would ultimately be interred.
Early Popes and the Catacombs
Before the construction of the current St. Peter's Basilica, early Popes were often buried in the catacombs along the Appian Way. These underground burial chambers, primarily used by early Christians, served as a safe and communal place for the faithful to be interred. Some of the earliest Popes, like St. Linus and St. Anacletus, are believed to be buried in the Catacombs of Priscilla and the Catacombs of Callixtus respectively. While their exact tombs are not definitively pinpointed within these vast complexes, tradition and historical accounts place them there.
The Old St. Peter's Basilica
The original St. Peter's Basilica, commissioned by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, stood on the site of the current basilica. Many Popes were buried there. However, when this ancient basilica was demolished to make way for the grander Renaissance structure we see today, many of the remains were transferred to the new basilica's papal crypts. But not all were relocated, and some might have been lost or reburied elsewhere during the tumultuous transition.
Popes Outside of Rome: Exile and Schism
The history of the Papacy is not always one of unbroken presence in Rome. Periods of exile and schism led to Popes residing and governing outside the city, and consequently, being buried in their temporary seats of power.
The Avignon Papacy
One of the most significant periods of papal absence from Rome was the Avignon Papacy, from 1309 to 1376, when the Popes resided in Avignon, France. The Popes during this era were buried in Avignon.
- Pope Clement V is buried in the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame in Uzeste, France.
- Pope John XXII is interred in the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre in Avignon, France.
- Pope Benedict XII rests in the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre in Avignon, France.
- Pope Clement VI is buried in the Abbey of La Chaise-Dieu in Haute-Loire, France.
- Pope Innocent VI is interred in the Chartreuse de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon in France.
- Pope Urban V was initially buried in Marseille but was later re-interred in the Basilica of Saint-Victor in Marseille, France.
- Pope Gregory XI, who returned the Papacy to Rome, is buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, not St. Peter's.
The Western Schism
The Western Schism (1378-1417) saw multiple claimants to the Papacy, each with their own court and support base. These rival Popes were often buried where they held court.
- Pope Urban VI, who initiated the schism, is buried in the Cathedral of Melfi, Italy.
- Pope Boniface IX is interred in the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.
- Pope Innocent VII rests in the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.
- Pope Gregory XII, who resigned to end the schism, is buried in the Cathedral of Recanati, Italy.
- The Avignon Antipopes, such as Clement VII and Benedict XIII, were also buried in Avignon or its surroundings.
Other Notable Popes Buried Outside St. Peter's Basilica
Even after the Papacy's permanent return to Rome, various circumstances led to Popes being buried elsewhere:
- Pope Leo XIII: His tomb is located in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome. While this is a major papal basilica, it is not St. Peter's.
- Pope Pius X: He is buried in the Vatican Grottoes, which are beneath St. Peter's Basilica, but in a separate chapel dedicated to him, not in the main papal crypts.
- Pope Benedict XV: His tomb is in the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican, but in a different chapel than the main papal tombs.
- Pope Paul VI: His tomb is also in the Vatican Grottoes, near the tombs of other Popes.
- Pope John Paul I: His burial is in the Vatican Grottoes, also known as the Necropolis.
- Pope John Paul II: After his initial burial in the Vatican Grottoes, his remains were exhumed and reburied in the Basilica of St. Peter in the Chapel of St. Sebastian.
It's important to note that the Vatican Grottoes are technically located beneath St. Peter's Basilica, serving as a burial site for Popes and royalty. However, they are often considered distinct from the primary papal tombs within the basilica itself.
The Basilica of St. John Lateran
The Basilica of St. John Lateran holds the distinction of being the cathedral of the Pope as the Bishop of Rome, making it the "Mother Church" of Catholicism. Consequently, several Popes who reigned during periods when St. Peter's was undergoing reconstruction or in times of significant change were interred here.
The Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome is the seat of the Bishop of Rome and is therefore a highly significant papal burial site, though not as widely recognized as St. Peter's Basilica.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How did the Avignon Papacy influence papal burials?
During the Avignon Papacy, the Popes resided in Avignon, France, for nearly seven decades. As a result, they were naturally buried in the churches and religious sites within Avignon or nearby, rather than in Rome.
Why are some Popes buried in the Vatican Grottoes and not in the main basilica?
The Vatican Grottoes, also known as the Necropolis, are located beneath St. Peter's Basilica. They have historically served as a burial place for Popes, royalty, and other important figures. Some Popes might be buried there due to space limitations in the main basilica, or for more private and accessible interment.
What happened to the burials in the old St. Peter's Basilica?
When the original 4th-century St. Peter's Basilica was demolished to construct the current Renaissance masterpiece, the remains of many Popes were transferred to the new basilica's crypts. However, it's possible that some were lost, reburied elsewhere, or their exact locations became obscured during the extensive rebuilding process.
Are there any Popes buried outside of Italy and France?
Yes, while less common, there are instances. For example, the early Popes' resting places are believed to be in the Roman catacombs. Later, during periods of exile or when Rome was not safe, Popes might have been interred in other locations. The specific circumstances of each Pope's life and death would dictate their final resting place.
