Catholic News
- Vatican publishes Pope's testament (Vatican Press Office)
The Vatican has published Pope Francis’s testament, written on June 29, 2022, “as I sense that the twilight of my earthly life is approaching, and with firm hope in Eternal Life.” The Pontiff willed that he be buried in a certain niche of the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, adding: I wish that my final earthly journey conclude precisely in this ancient Marian shrine, where I go to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey to faithfully entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mother and to give thanks for her gentle and maternal care. “May the Lord grant the deserved reward to those who have wished me well and will continue to pray for me,” he concluded. “The suffering that marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples.” - The Diocese of Rome weeps as Mary Magdalene did, Cardinal Reina preaches (Vatican News)
Cardinal Baldassare Reina, archpriest of the Lateran Basilica, celebrated a Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis on the evening of April 21. The 54-year-old prelate, who was appointed cardinal vicar of the Diocese of Rome last October, preached that “our diocese this evening sheds the tears of Mary Magdalene.” “We weep for our bishop, the witness of the Gospel, the apostle of mercy, the prophet of peace, the friend of the poor,” he continued. “We feel suspended, like sheep without a shepherd.” - Papal praise for Cardinal Scola in newly published book preface (Vatican News)
The Vatican has published Pope Francis’s preface to a forthcoming book on old age by Cardinal Angelo Scola, the retired archbishop of Milan. The prelate was a leading candidate to succeed Pope Benedict in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis. “I read with emotion these pages born from the thought and affection of Angelo Scola, dear brother in the episcopate and a person who has held delicate roles in the Church,” Pope Francis wrote on February 7. “First of all, I want to express my deep gratitude to him for this reflection that combines personal experience and cultural sensitivity in a way I have rarely encountered.” The Pope concluded: With these pages in hand, I would ideally like to repeat the same gesture I made just after donning the white robe of the papacy in the Sistine Chapel: to embrace with great esteem and affection my brother Angelo—now, both of us older than we were on that day in March 2013. But still united by the gratitude to this loving God who offers us life and hope at every age of our living. - Healthcare assistant recalls Pope's final day (Vatican News)
Massimiliano Strappetti, the nurse who was appointed the Pope’s personal healthcare assistant in 2022, recalled the Pontiff’s final day. Pope Francis wished to take a ride in St. Peter’s Square to greet the pilgrims who were present on Easter Sunday morning; however, he became hesitant and asked Strappetti, “Do you think I can manage it?” After the ride, the Pope told the nurse, “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.” Vatican News, the news agency of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, reported: The Pope then rested on Sunday afternoon and had a quiet dinner. Around 5:30 AM, the first signs of the sudden illness appeared, prompting an immediate response from those keeping watch over him. Around an hour later, after making a gesture of farewell with his hand to Mr. Strappetti, lying in bed in his second-floor apartment at the Casa Santa Marta, the Pope fell into a coma. According to those who were with him in his final moments, he did not suffer. It all happened quickly. - Italian president pays tribute to Pope Francis, who wrote note to him days before death (Quirinale (Italian))
President Sergio Mattarella of Italy visited the Pope’s residence to pay his respects at the casket of Pope Francis (video). In a video message, the 83-year-old Italian head of state said that “alongside the pain for the death of Pope Francis, I feel, as I said this morning, a sense of emptiness: the sense of deprivation of a point of reference to whom I looked.” “He conquered the world, from the first moment, already with the choice of his name,” he continued. “A Jesuit, son of the spirituality of St. Ignatius, he referred to St. Francis, emphasizing the richness of the charisms that are integrated in the Church.” After recalling some of the Pope’s writings, as well as his emphasis on migrants, the president said that “I remember with great gratitude the many opportunities for encounter. His visit to the Quirinale, historic. The unofficial, private, personal meetings.” The Vatican newspaper also published the text of a note written by the Pope to Mattarella on April 16 as the latter entered the hospital to receive a pacemaker. “Mr. President, united by the fragility that marks this season of our lives, we are invited not to lose hope and to trust in the loving presence of God and in the care of those who care for us,” wrote Pope Francis, as he wished the president “a happy Easter and a speedy recovery.” - Cardinal Gambetti leads Rosary for late Pope in St. Peter's Square (Vatican News)
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, OFM Conv, the archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, led a Rosary for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis on the evening of April 21 in St. Peter’s Square (video). The 59-year-old prelate told the estimated 12,000 faithful in attendance that “in the faith of the Risen Christ, which we celebrate on this holy Easter day, we know that death is not a door that closes but an entrance into the heavenly Jerusalem, where mourning is turned into dancing, and sackcloth into robes of joy.” Cardinal Gambetti also invited the faithful to “thank the Lord for the gifts He gave the entire Church through the apostolic ministry of Pope Francis, a pilgrim of hope.” - Late Pontiff remembered in Santa Maria Maggiore (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko, the archpriest of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, led a Rosary for the late Pope Francis at 9:00 PM on the evening of April 21, the day of his death. During his pontificate, the Pope visited the basilica 126 times to seek the Blessed Virgin’s intercession, and the basilica will be the site of his burial. “The square in front of the basilica was not enough to contain the affection of those who came,” the Vatican newspaper reported. “The square, and even the surrounding streets, filled with faithful clutching rosaries in their fingers.” Cardinal Ryłko, 79—accompanied by his coadjutor, Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas—said, “We are gathered here at the feet of the Virgin Mary, to pray for our beloved Holy Father, Francis.” He added: We are all saddened and grieved, but we are equally certain that the God of life will open wide the doors of blessed eternity for him ... O Mary, console our weeping, dry our tears, comfort our pain. Accompany, we pray, our journey towards the risen Lord. - Italian novelist, a nonbeliever, writes front-page Gospel commentary for Vatican newspaper (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
An Italian novelist and poet who describes himself as a nonbeliever has written a front-page commentary in L’Osservatore Romano on John 20:19-31, next Sunday’s Gospel reading. The commentary appeared in the Vatican newspaper’s April 22 edition, below the text of Pope Francis’s testament. The novelist, Erri De Luca, has long had an interest in the Bible and has translated several books of the Old Testament from Hebrew into Italian. In his commentary, De Luca stayed close to the text of the Gospel as he reflected on the fear of the apostles after the Resurrection and the initial unbelief of Thomas. He began: Disaster had struck. Their teacher, the guide who had separated them from professions and affections, leading them into the magnificent wandering of the last years, was no longer with them. He had been arrested, tried, crucified. They, his disciples, dismayed, had locked themselves in a secluded place. Scripture specifies: behind closed doors. Outside, the hunt for followers raged. Without him, without his serene courage, they felt empty. - World leaders pay tribute to Pope Francis (CWN)
Following the death of Pope Francis, leaders from around the world paid tribute to the late Pontiff, who governed the Church from 2013 to 2025. The heads of nine of the ten most populous nations offered statements in praise of Pope Francis in the hours following his death; only President Xi Jinping of China was silent. - Pope Francis dead at 88 (CWN)
Pope Francis died early in the morning of Easter Monday, April 21. - Pope's funeral Mass scheduled for Saturday, April 26 (Vatican Press Office)
Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, has announced that the Pope’s funeral Mass will take place in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will be the principal celebrant. - World's Christian leaders recall Pope Francis (CWN)
Non-Catholic Christian leaders from around the world recalled Pope Francis in the hours following the Pontiff’s passing. - Cardinals begin daily 'congregations' during papal interregnum (Vatican News)
The members of the College of Cardinals present in Rome met on Tuesday, April 22, in the first of the daily congregations that will continue until the opening of the conclave. In the absence of a Pope, the cardinals are responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Holy See, and so their meetings begin immediately—even though most members of the College have not yet arrived in Rome. About 60 cardinals participated in the first congregation. Three cardinals were chosen by lot to work with the camerlengo in handling administrative affairs during the papal interregnum. One cardinal was chosen from each of the ranks within the College: from the cardinal-bishops, Cardinal Pietro Parolin; from the cardinal-priests, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko; from the cardinal-deacons, Cardinal Fabio Baggio. - Canonization of Bl. Carlo Acutis postponed after Pope's death (Vatican Press Office)
The Vatican has announced that the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis will be postponed because of the death of Pope Francis. The canonization had been scheduled to take place on April 27, during a Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday, the date coinciding with the Jubilee for Teenagers. - Body of Pope Francis will be moved to St. Peter's on Wednesday (Vatican Press Office)
The body of Pope Francis will be moved from the chapel of the St. Martha residence to St. Peter’s basilica on Wednesday morning, April 23. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo will lead a brief prayer service at the chapel. Then the coffin will be taken in procession into the Vatican basilica, where Cardinal Farrell will preside at the Liturgy of the Word. Following that liturgy, the faithful will be admitted to the basilica to pray at the coffin of the late Pontiff. - USCCB, American cardinals, bishops mourn Pontiff's passing (CWN)
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement following the death of Pope Francis. - Vatican spokesman hails Francis as 'Pope of mercy' (Vatican News)
Andrea Tornielli, editorial director of the Dicastery for Communication, hailed Pope Francis as “the Pope of mercy” in an editorial published after his passing. “If there is a message that has most characterized Pope Francis’ pontificate and is destined to remain, it is that of mercy,” Tornielli wrote. “The first Argentine Pope in the history of the Church addressed many themes, particularly regarding his care for the poor, fraternity, care for our common home, and his firm and unconditional ‘no,’ to war,” he continued. “But the heart of his message, the one that undoubtedly made the most impact, was his evangelical call to mercy, which is precisely the closeness and tenderness of God toward those who recognize their need for His help.” - Vatican newspaper recalls late Pope as 'our brother, peacemaker' (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
In a front-page editorial in its special edition on the death of Pope Francis, the editor of the Vatican newspaper hailed Pope Francis as “our brother [and a] peacemaker” and recalled several of his appeals and actions on behalf of peace. “He gave himself totally, without reserve, until the last day,” Andrea Monda began. “Until the end. Going out to meet people, embracing them. And if conditions did not allow it, then he would call the many people he felt the urgency to make his voice heard.” He continued: Among the many was Father Gabriele Romanelli, the parish priest of Gaza, who called in the afternoon, or rather often videocalled. Not only making his voice heard but being able to see each other, eye to eye. The “face to face” was fundamental for Bergoglio, because looking each other in the eye makes it impossible to lie and allows true communication which is first and foremost a relationship, communion. - More...