A Call to Prayer: Mourning the Loss of Pope Francis
Pray & Honor His Legacy
As we mourn the loss of our beloved pope, we are reminded of his unwavering commitment to mercy, compassion, and the Gospel. His leadership touched the lives of millions, and his legacy will continue to inspire the Church as we move forward in faith.
The passing of a pope leads to many questions that we hope to address and answer below.
Why is the Papal ring destroyed?
The Fisherman's Ring, a symbol of papal authority, is ceremonially destroyed to prevent forgery and mark the end of the pontificate.
Why are the Papal doors sealed?
After a pope dies, his papal apartments are sealed to mark the official end of his papacy and to show that no one may exercise his authority until a new pope is elected. The sealing also secures personal and official documents, prevents misuse of papal items, and is carried out by the Camerlengo as part of canon law. It’s a gesture of both respect and order during the transition period.
Why do we mourn the Pope for 9 days?
Catholics mourn the pope for nine days as part of a traditional period of mourning called the novemdiales, which comes from the Latin word for “nine days.” This ritual dates back centuries and serves both spiritual and ceremonial purposes. During this time, Catholics around the world pray for the repose of the pope’s soul and reflect on his life and service to the Church.
What’s next?
In the Vatican, a series of liturgical events, including daily Masses, are held to honor the deceased pope. The novemdiales also allow the Church to prepare for the election of a new pope while uniting the faithful in a shared time of grief and remembrance.
You can view live Masses at the Vatican, listen to live recitation of the Holy Rosary, and more at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/@VaticanNewsEN/featured
When is the funeral?
The funeral is scheduled for 3:00 am central time (10:00 am local time) on Saturday, April 26th in St. Peter’s Square in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. You can live stream the funeral here:
https://www.youtube.com/@VaticanNewsEN/streams
I want to honor the Pope, what can I do?
1. Pray. Considering praying the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be throughout the day. The recitation of the Rosary for the repose of his soul is also a great option. You could also offer up the prayer of eternal rest.
2. Honor his legacy:
Pope Francis’ legacy is marked by his unwavering emphasis on mercy and compassion, encouraging the Church to care for the marginalized, including the poor, refugees, and the sick, highlighted through the Year of Mercy.
He became a strong advocate for environmental justice, urging global action through his encyclical Laudato Si’ to protect the planet and its people.
His groundbreaking efforts in promoting interfaith dialogue, particularly with Islam and Judaism, led to historic moments like his visit to the UAE and the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity.
Additionally, his humility and simplicity were central to his papacy, as he chose to live modestly and prioritized being close to the people, reflecting the values of the Gospel.
