It is customary for Popes to be buried in the Vatican grottoes under St Peter's Basilica.
"As I have always promised the Virgin - the place is already prepared. I want to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore," the head of the Catholic Church said in an interview with the Mexican broadcaster N+ on Tuesday evening.
The Pontiff, who will be 87 years old in a few days, said that he has a great devotion to the basilica in the centre of the Italian capital.
It houses the "Salus Populi Romani" - an icon of the Madonna and Baby Jesus - before which he prays before and after travelling abroad.
"Yes, there is a very strong connection," Francis said.
He has also had the ritual of papal funerals simplified.
Despite his advanced age and his health problems, which have particularly affected him this year, the pontiff is not thinking of standing down.
When asked about the abdication of his predecessor Benedict XVI, he said, "I saw Benedict's courage when he realised that he could no longer do it and preferred to say 'enough'. And that is a good example for me. I ask the Lord to say 'enough' - at some point but when he wants to."
Francis said that he had a very close relationship with Benedict.
"Benedict was a great man. Modest and simple... I admire this man."
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