About half way along the north wall of the old grottoes, is a deep niche with a low vault. Here, in the center of the travertine paving is the tomb of Paul VI, Giovanni Battista Montini from Brescia, pope from 1963 to 1978. He died on August 6 and was buried on August 12. His tomb in the earth is covered by a simple travertine slab, slightly higher a the head, with the monogram of Christ and the name of the pope; PAVLVS PP. VI. This arrangement follows the wish the pope himself expressed in his last will: "The tomb: I would like it to be in the real earth, with a humble sign to indicate the place and to invite Christian piety. No monument for me."

Pope John Paul II would imitate this desire to be buried in a simple tomb, in the earth.