A pope known for defying expectations in life, Francis will continue with this trend in death - becoming the first pontiff to be buried away from the Vatican in more than a century.

Instead of the Vatican grottoes underneath St Peter's Basilica, the late pontiff will be laid to rest in Rome's Basilica of St Mary Major. He'll be the first Pope to be buried there since 1669.

The Unesco World Heritage site is one of the Italian capital's four major papal basilicas, and has played a key role in Pope Francis's history since he was elected in 2013.

Less than 24 hours after he became pope, Francis visited the basilica to pray in front of one of the Catholic world's most important icons of the Virgin Mary, the Salus Populi Romani - meaning Salvation of the Roman people.

He would regularly travel to St Mary Major ahead of every visit outside of Rome and upon his return to the Vatican.

Francis also returned to the basilica immediately after he was discharged following a 38-day hospital stay. His last visit was on 12 April.