Ailing Pope Francis, 86, says he has ‘already prepared’ his tomb outside the Vatican and plans for a simpler funeral – but insists he has no intention of retiring

An ailing Pope France has said his tomb has already been prepared outside the Vatican and plans are underway for a simpler burial, but insisted he has no plans to retire.

The 86-year-old's comments indicate he will be the first pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican.

The pope, who turns 87 on Sunday, has eschewed much of the trappings of the Vatican and decided to vastly simplify the elaborate funeral rites.

He revealed plans for his funeral Tuesday in an interview with Mexican television N+ on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

In the interview with the network's Vatican correspondent Valentina Alazraki, recorded before the pope presided over a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Francis appeared to have recovered from a bout of bronchitis.

He often laughed as he discussed topics such as his health, migration, his relationship with the late Pope Benedict XVI and travel plans. He said his health was good but asked for prayers as he faces the limitations of old age.

“It is true that all the trips are now all being reconsidered,” Francis told N+. 'If they are nearby, it is possible. When they are further away, they are examined again. There are borders.'

Francis revealed that he has worked with the Vatican's master of ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, to simplify the elaborate, book-length funeral rites for a pope that have been used for his predecessors.

Since his election in 2013, Francis has eschewed the crimson, fur-trimmed 'mozzetta' or cape, nor does he wear a gold cross, instead wearing the same faded silver-plated cross around his neck that he used as Archbishop of Buenos Aires . .

He also did not use the plush red 'fishing shoes' of his predecessors. He has kept the same simple black shoes he always wore and wears a plastic watch, which he gives away to others so that they can be auctioned off for charity.

Francis said that because of his devotion to Mary, the Mother of God, he has decided to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

He has long emphasized his role as bishop of Rome and has a particular devotion to the icon of the Virgin Mary in the basilica near Rome's central station.

Traditionally he prays there before and after each of his trips abroad.

Francis said that because of his devotion to Mary, the Mother of God, he has decided to be buried in Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, seen above. Francis goes to the basilica to pray before the Salus populi Romani (“Salvation of the People of Rome”), a Byzantine-style painting depicting Mary draped in a blue robe and holding the baby Jesus

Francis goes to the basilica to pray before the Salus populi Romani (“Salvation of the People of Rome”), a Byzantine-style painting depicting Mary draped in a blue robe as she holds the baby Jesus who is on his turn holds a jeweled golden book.

“It is my great devotion,” Francis said, adding that he had already decided he wanted to be buried nearby in the basilica. “The place is already ready.”

Many popes are buried in the crypts beneath St. Peter's Basilica.

The last pope to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII, who died in 1903 and is buried in the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.

Francis has said he would be willing to resign – as Benedict did in 2013 – if his health became extremely poor.

“I ask the Lord to say enough at some point, but when He wants to,” he said.

But, he said, he also believes that the pope's resignation should not become the norm.

Asked about his health, he said: 'I feel good, I feel improved.

'Sometimes I am told that I am not sensible, because I feel like doing things and exercising. I think these are good signs, right? I'm doing pretty well.”

Francis has already said that when he retires, he would like to live somewhere in Rome outside the Vatican, in a residence for retired priests.

The bronchitis forced Francis – who had part of a lung removed as a young man – to cancel a trip to Dubai this month to attend the COP28 climate summit.

He was operated on for an abdominal hernia in June and seems to have fully recovered from that operation.

He has long emphasized his role as Bishop of Rome and has a particular devotion to the icon of the Virgin Mary in the basilica (pictured) near Rome's central station.

He said he hoped to make three trips next year, somewhere in Polynesia, to Belgium and to his native Argentina for his first visit there since his election in 2013.

The comments about his funeral came before the pope on Wednesday renewed his call for an “immediate” ceasefire in Gaza and advocated an end to suffering for both Israelis and Palestinians.

“I renew my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire,” the leader of the world's more than 1.35 billion Catholics said during his audience on Wednesday.

“May this great suffering for Israelis and Palestinians be over,” he said, urging the release of all Israeli hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.