Pope Francis, 86, has prepared his tomb and planned his funeral as health fears grow after he vows not to resign

POPE Francis has revealed plans for his own funeral amid continuing fears for his health.

The 86-year-old, however, has vowed not to resign just months after spending nine days in hospital for a hernia operation.

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Pope Francis, 86, during his weekly general audience in Vatican City[/caption]

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The Vatican tombs where Popes are buried – Francis will be the first in over 100 years not to be laid to rest there[/caption]

He said in an interview that as long as his health remains stable, he has no plans to give up his title as head of the Catholic Church.

And he is set to be the first Pope to be buried outside of the Vatican in over 100 years.

Instead he has asked to be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a church in Rome that he prays in before and after every journey abroad.

Concerns for his health have swirled in recent years as he has suffered from a myriad of health problems.

Part of his lung was removed when he was younger because of a respiratory infection, which apparently causes him to often speak in a whisper.

He recently had to cancel a series of appearances including at the Cop28 climate summit in Dubai because of bronchitis.

Because of his previously lung surgery, he said at the time: “Thank God it wasn’t pneumonia”.

And just weeks ago he told a crowd he was “not well” as the Vatican announced he had a “flu-like condition and inflammation of the respiratory tract”.

Speaking of the church where he has chosen to be buried, he said he wants to be laid to rest there and this it is his “great devotion”.

“The place is already prepared”, he added.

He added that before his role as Pope when he would visit Rome he would go to Saint Mary Major frequently.

“And before, when I used to come [to Rome], I would always go there on Sunday mornings… I would stay there for a while. There is a very great bond.”

He also joked about preparing himself for the event of his death ahead of his 87th birthday on Sunday.

“When old age arrives and you reach limits, you need to prepare yourself.

“I will launch a new funeral ritual [for popes]”.

But for now he seems keen to continue in his role, with trips planned to Belgium next year, as well others in the works to Argentina and Polynesia.

Pope Francis was ordained into his role on December 13, 1969, 54 years ago today.

No other Pope, except for his predecessor, Benedict XVI, has resigned from the role in 600 years.

Francis said he admired Benedict’s courage in stepping down from the role in 2013.

“He was a great and humble man who when he realised his limits had the courage to say ‘enough’,” he told Mexican outlet N+ in the revealing interview.

The leader of the world’s largest church was hospitalised twice this year, suffering respiratory problems in March as well as his stomach surgery in June.

In 2021 he also had intestinal surgery, as his large intestine had narrowed.

And he has suffered with a long term knee condition, which affects his mobility.