Pope Francis Has Fallen Asleep – Ongoing News & Prayer Updates

Pope Francis Laid to Rest at Basilica of St. Mary Major

Rome – 26 April 2025

The mortal remains of His Holiness Pope Francis were laid to rest this afternoon at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, concluding a day filled with profound emotion, solemn prayer, and final acts of love and remembrance from the faithful.

Following the Funeral Mass at St. Peter’s Square, the coffin—simple and unadorned, marked only with a cross—was carried through the streets of Rome in a popemobile-style hearse. As the cortege passed Rome’s historic landmarks—the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, and the Piazza Venezia—crowds lined the route, numbering over 150,000 people, offering their final farewell to the Holy Father.

The procession moved with measured dignity to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a church beloved by Pope Francis and deeply intertwined with his ministry. Throughout his pontificate, he had visited this Marian sanctuary over a hundred times, always seeking the intercession of Maria Salus Populi Romani.

At the entrance of the Basilica, the coffin was momentarily held aloft, facing the venerated icon of the Virgin Mary, fulfilling Pope Francis’ final wish. Four young children laid white roses before the sacred image, while cardinals, bishops, and Vatican officials solemnly accompanied the rites.

In a private ceremony presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the burial rite was conducted according to the prescriptions of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis. Prayer intercessions were offered, seeking divine mercy upon the soul of the late Pope, as the coffin was sprinkled with holy water and the Marian antiphon Regina Caeli was sung.

The Holy Father now rests in a simple tomb set in the side nave of the Basilica, between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel, close to the icon he held so dear. His tomb bears a simple white Italian marble slab, inscribed with just one word: Franciscus.

Pope Francis joins seven other popes buried within St. Mary Major, breaking with the recent tradition of burial within the Vatican grottoes. His choice reflects a life and ministry marked by humility, mercy, and a profound devotion to Our Lady.

Thus ended the earthly pilgrimage of a Pontiff who lived as a servant of the poor, a messenger of peace, and a humble disciple of the Risen Lord.

The Church now enters the Novendiales, nine days of prayer and requiem Masses for the repose of his soul. Meanwhile, preparations continue for the upcoming conclave to elect the 267th Successor of St. Peter.

May the Lord grant eternal rest to Pope Francis, and may he now gaze forever upon the face of Christ whom he served with unwavering love.

Coffin of Pope Francis Arrives at Basilica of St. Mary Major

Rome – 26 April 2025

As the afternoon sun warmed the cobbled streets of Rome, the simple wooden coffin of His Holiness Pope Francis arrived at the Basilica of St. Mary Major shortly after 1:00 PM local time, concluding the solemn funeral procession from St. Peter’s Square.

Carried with reverence by pallbearers, the coffin—marked only with a wooden cross—was received at the entrance of the ancient basilica by a line of prelates, bishops, and priests, assembled in silent prayer. Faithful from around the world lined the streets of Rome, accompanying in spirit the final earthly journey of a Pontiff who had captured hearts by his simplicity, humility, and unwavering pastoral care.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis had visited St. Mary Major more than one hundred times, praying before the venerated icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani, entrusting his missions and milestones to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Now, in accordance with his testamentary wishes, the Basilica of St. Mary Major will be his final resting place. His tomb, prepared in the side nave between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel, bears no grand adornment—only the simple inscription: Franciscus.

The Holy See Press Office reported that approximately 150,000 faithful lined the streets along the procession route from Vatican City to the Basilica, bearing silent witness to the love and gratitude that marked this historic farewell.

As a final gesture of affection, colourful balloons bearing the image of Pope Francis floated above the Basilica’s roof—an emblem of the joy and hope he so often preached, even unto his last breath.

Thus, the shepherd who once said, “Pray for me,” now rests in the embrace of the Mother of God, in the house where he began and ended each apostolic journey in prayer.

Funeral Procession for Pope Francis Begins: Rome Bids Farewell

Vatican City – 26 April 2025

As the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica fell silent and the final prayers of the Funeral Mass concluded, the solemn funeral procession for His Holiness Pope Francis began.

Following the Holy Eucharist presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, mourners looked on in reverent silence as the late Pontiff’s simple wooden coffin was borne from St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the start of his final journey across the Eternal City.

Crowds lined the streets of Rome—pilgrims, faithful, and citizens alike—gathered to offer a last tribute to the 266th Successor of St. Peter. As the popemobile carried Pope Francis towards the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the atmosphere was one of tender grief and deep prayer. Some offered cheers of farewell; others simply stood, hands folded, heads bowed.

The Holy See Press Office confirmed that approximately 250,000 mourners had assembled in and around Vatican City to pay their respects—a visible testimony to the global impact of Pope Francis’ ministry of humility, mercy, and hope.

Among those present earlier at the Mass were heads of state and dignitaries from around the world, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who, along with others, departed from St. Peter’s Square as the solemn procession commenced.

The funeral cortege is following a carefully chosen route through Rome, concluding at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where Pope Francis, in accordance with his final wishes, will be laid to rest near the beloved icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani—the Protectress of the Roman people.

Thus, the Eternal City embraces one of its shepherds for the final time, carrying him not to grandeur, but to the tender shelter of the Mother of God, whose love he so often invoked throughout his life and papacy.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re Reflects on the Legacy of Pope Francis at Funeral Mass

St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City – 26 April 2025

In the solemn embrace of a mourning Church, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, offered the homily at the Funeral Mass of His Holiness Pope Francis, gathering the prayers and sorrows of a world grieving the loss of a humble shepherd.

Under the open skies of St. Peter’s Square—where Pope Francis had celebrated countless Masses and embraced multitudes during his twelve-year pontificate—Cardinal Re reflected on the deep faith and missionary fervour that had marked the late Pontiff’s life.

“Our hearts are saddened,” Cardinal Re began, “yet sustained by the certainty of faith, which assures us that life does not end in the tomb but is fulfilled in the Father’s house.”

With profound emotion, the homily recalled Pope Francis’ final public act: his Easter blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, offered even amidst grave illness, followed by his tender descent among the faithful—a gesture that now stands as his farewell to the world.

Drawing from the Gospel reading, Cardinal Re spoke of the conversation between Christ and Peter: “Do you love me?”—a love to which Pope Francis had responded not only in word but through a life poured out for Christ’s flock. Even in frailty and suffering, Pope Francis followed the Lord’s call: to serve, to shepherd, and to surrender.

Cardinal Re spoke movingly of Pope Francis’ choice to take the name of Francis, signalling from the outset a pontificate rooted in simplicity, fraternity, and care for the least among us. His was a ministry that “shed light on the anxieties and wounds of our age with the wisdom of the Gospel.”

From his first journey to Lampedusa—mourning migrants lost at sea—to his visits to the war-torn fields of Iraq, the Holy Father sought out the wounded of the world, not with distant words, but with a shepherd’s heart.

Pope Francis’ life, Cardinal Re reminded the gathered assembly, was a testament to mercy. His preaching, his gestures, and his very bearing proclaimed that God never tires of forgiving, and that the Church must be a “field hospital” for the broken.

Themes of mercy, joy, fraternity, and care for our common home marked his Magisterium. His exhortations built bridges, calling humanity to reject walls of division and to embrace the dignity of every person.

With deep feeling, Cardinal Re evoked the Pope’s tireless voice for peace amid the wars of recent years—a voice that, even when frail, refused to be silenced in the face of human suffering.

As the funeral rites unfolded, and the Litany of the Saints rose over the Square, the prayer of the Church was clear: that the soul of this beloved Pontiff, who had guided the Church as the 266th Successor of St. Peter, might now be welcomed into the eternal embrace of the Lord.

The homily concluded with tender words that captured the ache—and the hope—of the day:

“Dear Pope Francis, we now ask you to pray for us. May you bless the Church, bless Rome, and bless the whole world from heaven, as you did last Sunday from the balcony of this Basilica—in a final embrace with all the People of God.”

And thus, beneath the Roman sun, a grateful Church commended the soul of a shepherd who lived close to the flock, and who, until his final breath, carried the fragrance of Christ’s mercy to the ends of the earth.

Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Joins Eastern Patriarchs in Chanting “Christos Anesti” at Pope Francis’ Funeral

Vatican City – 26 April 2025

A moment of deep unity and profound faith marked the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis today, as Eastern Catholic patriarchs, major archbishops, and metropolitans gathered around the late pontiff’s coffin to chant the ancient Greek hymn “Christos Anesti” (“Christ is Risen”).

Among them was His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, representing the rich Eastern traditions within the universal Catholic communion.

The hymn, traditionally sung during Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Easter celebrations, proclaims: “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death.” Its prayerful chant inside St. Peter’s Basilica highlighted Pope Francis’ lifelong commitment to Christian unity and his respect for the diverse liturgical traditions within the Church.

The participation of Cardinal Cleemis in this solemn and symbolic moment emphasised the active role of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in the life of the Church universal. Rooted in the ancient West Syriac liturgical tradition, the Syro-Malankara Church carries within itself a bridge between East and West, a vision Pope Francis himself championed throughout his papacy.

As the hymn rose in the Basilica, mourners, cardinals, religious, and lay faithful reflected not only on the life of Pope Francis but also on the broader communion he worked tirelessly to strengthen—one that embraces different rites, languages, and histories, yet remains united in Christ.

This chant of “Christos Anesti”—sung in Greek, a language of the Church’s earliest centuries—was a fitting tribute to a Pontiff whose final Easter message was simply: “Christ is Risen.”

The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, together with the Church universal, mourns the passing of Pope Francis with gratitude and prayer, offering thanks for his enduring witness to mercy, simplicity, and unity.

Pope Francis’ Funeral: A Global Farewell to a Humble Shepherd

Vatican City – 26 April 2025

More than 400,000 mourners filled St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding streets on Saturday morning, gathering under the bright Roman sun to bid farewell to Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff who led the Catholic Church for twelve years.

The Funeral Mass, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, unfolded beneath the colonnades of St. Peter’s Basilica, with heads of state, religious leaders, and pilgrims from across the world in attendance. Among the dignitaries present were U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Argentine President Javier Milei, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and royal representatives including Prince William and King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain.

Cardinal Re’s homily recalled Pope Francis’ vision of a Church as a “field hospital,” tending to the wounded and marginalised, and emphasised his lifelong commitment to evangelisation, mercy, and peace. In his words, “Evangelisation was the guiding principle of his pontificate.” Spontaneous applause broke out when Re spoke of the Pope’s efforts to raise his voice for peace in times of conflict.

The simple wooden coffin, marked only by a cross, rested before the altar throughout the Mass. Pope Francis had requested a humble funeral in keeping with his life’s witness to simplicity and service.

The funeral followed the revised Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (2024), which Pope Francis himself had updated. Scripture readings included passages from Acts 10, Philippians 3, Psalm 22, and John 21—Christ’s charge to Peter: “Feed my sheep.”

More than 200 cardinals, 750 bishops and priests, and over 4,000 journalists covering the event, joined with the faithful in offering prayers for the repose of the Holy Father’s soul.

After the final commendation, the choir sang the Litany of the Saints, followed by the Latin hymn In Paradisum, asking for angels to guide Pope Francis into eternal rest. Eastern Catholic patriarchs and metropolitans also approached the coffin, offering prayers from the Byzantine Funeral Office—a gesture that reflected the Pope’s deep commitment to Church unity.

In keeping with his wishes, Pope Francis’ coffin was not interred in the Vatican grottoes but carried in procession to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Along the streets of Rome, the faithful lined the path as the coffin was transported in the popemobile. There, at the Marian Basilica he visited over one hundred times, he will be laid to rest in a simple tomb bearing only one inscription: Franciscus.

Remembering Pope Francis: A Life of Service

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, born 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, entered the Society of Jesus at the age of 21. After his ordination in 1969, he served as a Jesuit provincial, seminary rector, and professor. He became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was created Cardinal by St. John Paul II in 2001.

On 13 March 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio was elected Pope, taking the name Francis—inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, a symbol of humility, peace, and care for creation.

His pontificate was marked by:

• A focus on mercy and the joy of the Gospel.
• Care for the poor, refugees, and those at the margins of society.
• Repeated calls for peace amid global conflicts.
• Strong emphasis on synodality and the renewal of the Church’s missionary spirit.
• The canonisation of 942 saints, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II.
• Major reforms of the Roman Curia and efforts to address the clergy abuse crisis.
• His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, marked by a historic Urbi et Orbi blessing in an empty St. Peter’s Square in March 2020.

Pope Francis’ final years were marked by health challenges, but his resolve remained steady. His final great work, the Synod on Synodality, concluded its second session in 2024.

He leaves behind a legacy of a Church more attentive to the poor, more aware of its missionary call, and more insistent that mercy is the heart of the Gospel.

As the funeral concludes and the days of mourning continue with the Novemdiales Masses, the Church remains united in prayer:

“Dear Pope Francis, we now ask you to pray for us. May you bless the Church, bless Rome, and bless the whole world from heaven, as you did on earth.”

Holy See Confirms 200,000 Mourners Present at Funeral Mass of Pope Francis

Vatican City – 26 April 2025

The Holy See Press Office has confirmed that approximately 200,000 mourners are present in St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding areas for the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis.

The announcement was made during the funeral liturgy, which is being presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.

The immense gathering represents one of the largest assemblies of faithful in Vatican City since the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005, demonstrating the global reach and enduring impact of Pope Francis’ twelve-year pontificate.

An aerial view of the Square shows the vast crowd stretching far beyond the colonnades, with mourners participating reverently in the final farewell to the late Holy Father.

Following the conclusion of the Funeral Mass, Pope Francis’ coffin will be transferred to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for his burial, in keeping with the wishes he made known during his lifetime.

Funeral Mass of Pope Francis Begins in St. Peter’s Square

Vatican City – 26 April 2025

The Funeral Mass of Pope Francis has begun in St. Peter’s Square, where tens of thousands of mourners have gathered to bid farewell to the 266th Successor of Peter.

At approximately 10:00 AM Rome time (1:30 PM IST), the simple wooden coffin bearing the late Holy Father’s remains was carried out from St. Peter’s Basilica into the Square. As it emerged, the atmosphere of solemn silence gave way to a sustained round of applause, a final gesture of respect and affection from the faithful gathered from around the world.

The Mass is being presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. Cardinals, bishops, priests, religious, and dignitaries from more than 130 official delegations are present, along with thousands of ordinary pilgrims who filled the square and surrounding roads since early morning.

The coffin now rests before the altar, marked only by a simple cross, consistent with Pope Francis’ wishes for humility and simplicity in death, just as in life.

Following the Mass, Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a departure from the tradition of recent popes being interred in the Vatican grottoes. This decision reflects the Pope’s enduring devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Basilica he visited so often during his pontificate.

Today’s funeral also marks the beginning of the Novemdiales, nine consecutive days of mourning and prayer for the repose of the Pope’s soul, with daily Masses led by different cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Under clear Roman skies, the Catholic Church gathers in faith and gratitude, offering her final farewell to a shepherd who chose to walk humbly among his people.

President Droupadi Murmu Represents India at Funeral Mass of Pope Francis

Vatican City – 26 April 2025

President Droupadi Murmu attended the funeral Mass of His Holiness Pope Francis on Saturday morning at St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, representing the Government and people of India at this solemn occasion of mourning and prayer.

Accompanied by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Shri George Kurian, and Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Shri Joshua De Souza, President Murmu joined a gathering of world leaders, religious dignitaries, and faithful from around the globe. The Vatican had earlier confirmed the attendance of 130 official delegations, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs, in tribute to the late Pontiff’s global impact.

Upon arrival in Vatican City on Friday, President Murmu paid homage to Pope Francis at the Basilica of St. Peter, offering heartfelt prayers at the side of the late Pontiff’s coffin. The Government of India had earlier declared a three-day State Mourning in honour of Pope Francis’ passing.

During the funeral Mass, President Murmu was seated among international dignitaries that included Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Hungary’s President Tamas Sulyok, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, and King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain.

Pope Francis, remembered as the first non-European pope in over 1,300 years, had forged strong ties with India throughout his pontificate. His affection for the Indian people was deeply recalled in the condolence message issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who paid tribute to the Pope’s compassion, humility, and unwavering commitment to serving the poor and marginalised. “His affection for the people of India will always be cherished,” the Prime Minister said.

As the bells of St. Peter’s tolled, and the faithful around the world joined in prayer, India stood in solidarity with the Church universal—honouring the life and witness of a Pontiff who taught the world to walk humbly, love tenderly, and act justly.

Crowds Surge into St. Peter’s Square as Gates Open for Pope Francis’ Funeral

Vatican City – 26 April 2025

From the early hours of Saturday morning, thousands of pilgrims gathered outside the Vatican, lining the streets through the night to attend the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis.

At 6:00 AM Rome time, Vatican officials opened the gates of St. Peter’s Square, and pilgrims began streaming in, moving quickly to secure places as close to the front as possible. Many had waited more than 12 hours, braving the night air in order to be present for this historic moment.

The Funeral Mass is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM local time (1:30 PM IST) and will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. The Mass will also be livestreamed for those unable to be present in person.

Across the square, journalists and media personnel gathered under the iconic colonnades, reporting on the unprecedented crowds and the solemn preparations underway. Security checkpoints were already busy before dawn, with officials managing the steady flow of mourners.

Pope Francis, who served as the 266th Successor of Peter, touched millions of lives during his 12-year pontificate, particularly through his message of mercy, simplicity, and care for the poor and marginalised. Today, the faithful have come not only from across Italy but from every corner of the world to honour his memory and commend him to the Lord.

Following the Funeral Mass, the Pope’s body will be taken to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, in accordance with his final wishes, for a private burial.

Evening Pilgrims Bid Farewell to Pope Francis Ahead of Funeral

Vatican City – 25 April 2025

As the final hours of public viewing drew to a close, St. Peter’s Basilica continued to welcome a steady flow of pilgrims—many arriving after sundown—to offer their last farewells to Pope Francis before his funeral on Saturday morning.

To accommodate the extraordinary number of mourners, the Vatican extended the Basilica’s opening hours, allowing pilgrims to pass through even beyond midnight. Thousands of jubilee volunteers and Civil Protection personnel assisted in guiding the faithful through security and toward the Basilica.

Among the evening visitors was a striking diversity: families, workers, religious figures, businesspeople, immigrants, and even a group of Buddhist monks, who walked silently in prayer. The quiet of the night and the soft lighting of St. Peter’s created an atmosphere especially conducive to reflection and prayer.

Many mourners, such as Isabel Troconis, came immediately after work, moved by the sense that each hour might bring even greater crowds. She shared her deep impression at seeing people from all walks of life gathered together, describing it as a living testimony to the universal and personal love that Pope Francis had proclaimed throughout his pontificate.

For others like Laura Pérez, the Basilica’s nighttime solemnity offered a deeper space for prayer. After waiting for hours, she and her friends passed through the Jubilee Holy Door, reading reflections Pope Francis had written for World Youth Day in Lisbon. His words—particularly the call to move “with haste” as Mary did—resonated strongly as they prayed in gratitude for his example of Gospel joy and humility.

The public viewing of Pope Francis’ body, which began on Wednesday, 23 April, concluded on Friday evening at 7:00 PM, after welcoming approximately 250,000 mourners over three days.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, 26 April, at 10:00 AM Vatican Time (1:30 PM IST), after which Pope Francis’ remains will be interred at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, fulfilling his final wish.

Pope Francis’ Coffin Sealed Ahead of Saturday’s Funeral

Vatican City – 25 April 2025

On Friday evening, Pope Francis’ coffin was solemnly sealed in a private ceremony held inside St. Peter’s Basilica, bringing to a close the public viewing period during which around 250,000 mourners had paid their final respects.

The sealing rite was led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, in accordance with the funeral protocols outlined for a deceased pontiff.

The ceremony began with the reading of an official document listing the major stages of Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s life and ministry, noting his pastoral service in Argentina and his role as the 266th Pope. It recalled his simple and approachable style as a bishop who travelled by public transport and lived humbly, continuing this spirit during his time as Pope.

During the rite:

• Archbishop Diego Ravelli placed a white silk cloth over Pope Francis’ face.
• Cardinal Farrell sprinkled the coffin with holy water.
• A bag containing coins and medals minted during the pontificate was placed inside the coffin.
• The late Pope’s pallium, cross, and a plaque bearing his name and dates of birth, ordination, episcopal consecration, and papacy were also enclosed.

The wooden coffin, simple by Francis’ own request, was then placed inside a zinc coffin, which was sealed and stamped with the official seals of the Cardinal Camerlengo, the Prefecture of the Papal Household, the Office for Liturgical Celebrations, and the Vatican Chapter. Finally, the sealed zinc coffin was enclosed within a second wooden coffin, bearing a cross and the coat of arms of Pope Francis.

Throughout the ceremony, psalms were chanted, and silence filled the Basilica as the final preparations for the burial were completed.

The Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, 26 April, at 10:00 AM Vatican Time (1:30 PM IST) in St. Peter’s Square, after which Pope Francis’ remains will be transferred to his chosen resting place at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

Approximately 250,000 Faithful Pay Their Respects to Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican City – 25 April 2025

The Holy See Press Office has announced that approximately 250,000 people visited St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects to Pope Francis during the public viewing, which began on Wednesday, 23 April at 11:00 AM and concluded on Friday evening at 7:00 PM.

For three days, the Basilica remained open for extended hours to accommodate the steady stream of mourners. Entry was permitted until late each evening, with some pilgrims waiting many hours under the Roman sun for the opportunity to offer a moment of silent prayer before the late Holy Father’s casket.

The strong turnout reflected the deep affection and gratitude felt across the world for Pope Francis, whose life and ministry touched countless lives both within and beyond the Church.

With the conclusion of the public viewing, preparations now turn toward the Funeral Mass, which will take place on Saturday, 26 April, at 10:00 AM Vatican Time (1:30 PM IST) in St. Peter’s Square, followed by the burial of Pope Francis at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, in accordance with his final wishes.

Fourth General Congregation Reflects on ‘Funeral of a Shepherd, Not a Sovereign’

Vatican City – 25 April 2025

On Friday morning, as sunlight touched the dome of St. Peter’s, 149 cardinals gathered within the New Synod Hall for the Fourth General Congregation, deepening their shared discernment and prayer in this interregnum—this sacred pause between pontiffs.

The meeting opened at 9:10 AM with a moment of prayer and continued until 12:20 PM, during which 33 interventions were offered—brief addresses from the cardinals on the state of the Church and her mission in a fractured world. It was not merely an exercise in administration, but an act of pastoral contemplation.

They continued the reading of Universi Dominici Gregis, the apostolic constitution that governs the period between papacies, reaching through paragraph 32.

At the close of the session, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, addressed the cardinals to explain the character of the funeral rite to be celebrated on Saturday, 26 April, at 10:00 AM.

“This will be the funeral of a shepherd,” he said, “not of a sovereign.”

In keeping with Pope Francis’ wishes:

• There will be no catafalque—the raised platform traditionally used in pontifical funerals.
• The Pope will rest at ground level, as he did in life, with nearness instead of grandeur.
• Dignitaries, including the Presidents of Argentina and Italy, will be arranged not in political order but in charity and simplicity, according to traditional protocol.

The procession after the Mass will also be markedly modest. The Pope’s coffin, visible to the faithful, will be transported from the Perugino Gate—not through St. Peter’s Square, but in a route designed for reverent silence. The interment at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, his chosen place of rest, will be a private act.

On Sunday, 27 April at 4:00 PM, the cardinals will once again gather—this time not in deliberation, but in prayer. They will:

• Pass through the Holy Door at St. Mary Major.
• Visit the tomb of Pope Francis.
• Conclude with Vespers in the Pauline Chapel, where the beloved icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani resides.

As of midday Friday, the Vatican has confirmed that more than 150,000 people have entered St. Peter’s Basilica to bid farewell to Pope Francis. The basilica will close at 7:00 PM, with last entry at 6:00 PM.

At 8:00 PM, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the Rite of the Sealing of the Coffin.

In a Church of thrones and mitres, Pope Francis chose the sandals of a shepherd.
And now, in death, his funeral mirrors his life—simple, prayerful, close to the people.

A River of Grief and Grace: Over 128,000 Mourners Bid Farewell to Pope Francis

Vatican City – 25 April 2025

The stream never ceased. From dawn to the deepest hours of the night, they came—more than 128,000 souls—to pass before a simple wooden coffin, to whisper a prayer, to offer a tear, or to simply stand still before the man who had once stood for them.

The Holy See Press Office, in figures released on Friday afternoon, confirmed that over 128,000 pilgrims had visited St. Peter’s Basilica between Wednesday morning at 11:00 AM and Friday at 8:00 AM, marking one of the largest turnouts in recent papal memory.

The basilica remained open until 2:30 AM each night and reopened at 5:40 AM, yet the queue outside rarely diminished. Some waited five hours or more under the Roman sky, holding rosaries, singing softly, or standing in prayerful silence.

It was not spectacle that drew them, but memory. Not obligation, but affection.

At the heart of the basilica, Pope Francis lay in state—clothed in red, the colour of the martyrs, a rosary in his hands, and his head adorned with the bishop’s mitre. Four Swiss Guards kept vigil at his side, a symbol not only of tradition, but of honour.

From the elderly to young families, from consecrated religious to travellers from distant lands, the Church universal poured in, echoing his own words: “The Church is a field hospital.” And now, it was a field hospital of mourning, where all could come to say farewell.

The viewing will conclude late Friday evening, ahead of the Funeral Mass to be held on Saturday, 26 April, at 10:00 AM Vatican Time (1:30 PM IST) in St. Peter’s Square. The Holy Father will then be taken to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for burial, fulfilling his wish to rest under the gaze of the Blessed Mother.

In these days, we have seen not just numbers, but hearts.
And in every bowed head, every whispered Ave,
the legacy of Pope Francis lives on.

130 Delegations to Attend Funeral of Pope Francis, Including 50 Heads of State

Vatican City – 25 April 2025

As the sun prepares to rise over St. Peter’s Square on the morning of the Funeral Mass for Pope Francis, the Vatican’s Protocol Office has confirmed that 130 official delegations from around the world will be present—including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs.

It is not merely a gathering of dignitaries, but a testament to a papacy that transcended borders, reached beyond protocol, and drew the attention of the powerful through the simplicity of a Gospel lived.

The presence of world leaders affirms what the poor already knew: Pope Francis was heard not because he shouted, but because he listened.

His audience was never limited to statesmen. It included migrants, prisoners, victims of war, and children of the peripheries.

Tomorrow, Saturday, 26 April, the Church will gather in St. Peter’s Square for the Funeral Mass, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. Concelebrating will be a sea of clergy from every continent—patriarchs, bishops, cardinals, and priests—an image of the Church universal assembled in grief and gratitude.

Following the Mass, in accordance with the Pope’s final will and testament, his remains will be transferred to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for burial. There, beneath mosaics of the Incarnation and in the chapel he so often visited, Pope Francis will rest, becoming the seventh pope interred in that ancient sanctuary.

In life, he knelt before the Madonna of the Salus Populi Romani.
In death, he lies beneath her gaze.

The gathering of 130 delegations is not merely ceremonial—it is symbolic. It is the world coming to the heart of the Church, not to mark political alignment, but to honour a man who bore the name Francis, and lived it.

Nine Days of Prayer: Cardinals to Lead Novemdiales Masses for Pope Francis

Vatican City – 24 April 2025

The death of a pope does not end the prayer of the Church—it deepens it. With the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis to be celebrated on Saturday, 26 April, the Church now prepares to enter the Novemdiales, the ancient nine-day period of mourning, during which daily Requiem Masses will be offered for the repose of his soul.

Each day, one cardinal will preside over the sacred liturgy, according to the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (2024), the official order of papal funeral rites. These Masses are not merely formal observances; they are woven into the very life of the Church—grief transformed into grace, mourning into memory.

While the first two days will take place in St. Peter’s Square, the remainder will unfold within the Basilica’s solemn interior, each designated for a distinct part of the Church’s body—from teenagers to the Roman Curia, from Eastern Churches to religious congregations.

Here is the full schedule:

Day 1: Saturday, 26 April
Funeral Mass of Pope Francis
Presider: Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals
Time: 10:00 AM | Location: St. Peter’s Square

Day 2: Sunday, 27 April
Mass for the Jubilee of Teenagers / Vatican Employees and Families
Presider: Cardinal Pietro Parolin, former Secretary of State
Time: 10:30 AM | Location: St. Peter’s Square

Day 3: Monday, 28 April
For Catholics and Clergy of the Diocese of Rome
Presider: Cardinal Baldassare Reina
Time: 5:00 PM | Location: St. Peter’s Basilica

Day 4: Tuesday, 29 April
For Chapters of the Papal Basilicas
Presider: Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica
Time: 5:00 PM | Location: St. Peter’s Basilica

Day 5: Wednesday, 30 April
For the Papal Chapel
Presider: Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Vice Dean of the College of Cardinals
Note: Concelebration reserved for cardinals only
Time: 5:00 PM | Location: St. Peter’s Basilica

Day 6: Thursday, 1 May
For the Roman Curia
Presider: Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández (replacing Cardinal Farrell)
Time: 5:00 PM | Location: St. Peter’s Basilica

Day 7: Friday, 2 May
For the Eastern Churches
Presider: Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti
Time: 5:00 PM | Location: St. Peter’s Basilica

Day 8: Saturday, 3 May
For Institutes of Consecrated Life and Apostolic Societies
Presider: Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime
Time: 5:00 PM | Location: St. Peter’s Basilica

Day 9: Sunday, 4 May
For the Papal Chapel (Final Novendiales Mass)
Presider: Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Protodeacon of the College of Cardinals
Note: Concelebration reserved for cardinals only
Time: 5:00 PM | Location: St. Peter’s Basilica

From the youth of the world to the ancient Eastern Churches, from Vatican staff to the cloistered faithful, these nine days of Masses will carry Pope Francis to the mercy of the Eternal Shepherd through the embrace of the Church he served with humility.

“Please pray for me,” he would often say. Now, the Church answers:
We do. Every day. In every language. In every liturgy. In every heart.

“A Final Benediction”: Thousands Bid Farewell to Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican City – 23 April 2025

Under the Roman sun and in the shadow of St. Peter’s Basilica, the faithful waited—not in haste, but in devotion. On Wednesday, thousands of Catholics from across the world stood in line for hours, some praying the Rosary, others singing hymns, as they moved slowly toward the Basilica’s open doors to say a final goodbye to Pope Francis.

It was the first day of public viewing, and the turnout was vast—so much so that Vatican officials are considering extending the hours past midnight to accommodate the continuous stream of mourners. The line, stretching deep into St. Peter’s Square, bore witness to the Pope’s enduring bond with his people—a shepherd who had walked close to the flock, and now lies at rest among them.

Once inside, each pilgrim stepped forward in silence to pause before the open casket, placed before the main altar—in the very place where Pope Francis had celebrated countless Masses, just steps from the tomb of St. Peter. There, beneath the great dome, red vestments clothed his body, the bishop’s mitre resting on his head, and a rosary in his hands—a quiet testimony to a life woven in prayer.

Four members of the Swiss Guard, in full dress, stood vigil beside the casket. They guarded not just a coffin, but a legacy.

The late Holy Father will lie in state until Friday at 7:00 PM, after which his coffin will be sealed in a private rite led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, in preparation for the Funeral Mass on Saturday, 26 April, at 10:00 AM Vatican Time (1:30 PM IST).

But for now, the people keep coming—old and young, religious and lay, locals and pilgrims. Each carries their own story, their own prayer, their own silent “thank you.”

This farewell is not loud, but it is vast.
Not hurried, but holy.
A final benediction—not from him to them, but from them to him.

Cardinals Approve Novemdiales Programme in Second General Congregation

Vatican City – 23 April 2025

In the quiet confines of the Synod Hall, beneath frescoes and silence, the College of Cardinals reconvened on Wednesday afternoon for the second General Congregation, as the Church continues its solemn course through the days following the death of Pope Francis.

The meeting, which began at 5:00 PM and concluded by 6:30 PM, opened with the invocation “Veni, Sancte Spiritus”—a fitting prayer for a Church seeking clarity and consolation in the shadow of loss.

According to the Holy See Press Office, 103 cardinals were present. Those who had not participated in the first congregation on Tuesday were officially sworn in.

Foremost among the items approved was the programme for the Novemdiales—the traditional nine-day period of mourning, observed through liturgies, Masses, and communal prayer. This ancient practice, rooted in Roman custom and Christian hope, is now entrusted to the global Church as it offers its last gifts of prayer for the soul of the late pontiff.

The Novemdiales is not only a time of mourning, but a liturgical procession of memory—a reminder that the Church prays even after it weeps.

During the congregation, the cardinals also confirmed that all beatifications and canonisations are suspended until a new Pope is elected, in accordance with Universi Dominici Gregis, the constitution that guides the Church through the sede vacante.

The previously selected three-member commission—drawn by lot to assist the Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell—remains in place. These are:

• Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Episcopal Order)
• Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko (Presbyteral Order)
• Cardinal Fabio Baggio (Diaconal Order)

This commission rotates every three days and ensures the temporal governance of the Church continues with fidelity and prudence.

Meanwhile, the faithful continue to gather in great number. As of 7:30 PM on Wednesday, more than 20,000 people had entered St. Peter’s Basilica to pray before the open casket of Pope Francis, resting near the tomb of the Apostle Peter.

The next General Congregation will be held on Thursday morning at 9:00 AM, as the cardinals proceed in prayer and discernment, not yet to choose—but to remember, to govern, and to prepare.

Tomb of Pope Francis Being Prepared at Basilica of St. Mary Major

Rome – 23 April 2025

Even as thousands gather in St. Peter’s Basilica to bid their final farewell, quiet preparations are underway just across the city—at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where the body of Pope Francis will be laid to rest after Saturday’s funeral.

Visitors to the basilica on Wednesday witnessed the beginnings of this sacred work: construction of the tomb that will receive the earthly remains of the Holy Father. Nestled between the Pauline Chapel, home to the revered icon Salus Populi Romani, and the Sforza Chapel, the tomb will be placed in the ground, in keeping with the Pope’s explicit testamentary request.

He asked for no monument, no grandeur—just a simple resting place marked with a single word:
Franciscus.

It is here, in one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas, that the Pope who led with mercy and walked among the poor will be buried. The basilica, completed in its present form in 1743, stands as a beacon of Marian devotion, a sanctuary Pope Francis visited over 100 times during his pontificate—before and after every apostolic journey, and even just days before his passing, in a quiet pilgrimage unknown to the world at the time.

With this burial, Pope Francis becomes the eighth pontiff to be laid to rest in Santa Maria Maggiore, joining a line that stretches from Pope Honorius III in the 13th century to Pope Clement IX in the 17th.

The basilica, often called Our Lady of the Snows, is not merely a site of architectural splendour. It is a house of prayer, where Mary, the Protectress of the Roman People, watches over her children. And now, she will also watch over a Pope who loved her dearly.

In stone and soil, a final act of faith unfolds.
In silence and devotion, the Church prepares to commend him to rest.
Not beneath a dome, but beneath the Mother’s mantle.

Pope Francis’ Coffin to Be Sealed on Friday in St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican City – 23 April 2025

In a moment steeped in tradition and sacred symbolism, the coffin of Pope Francis will be formally sealed on Friday, 25 April, at 8:00 PM Vatican Time (11:30 PM IST) in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican has announced.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the solemn rite, held in accordance with the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis—the official order of funeral rites for the Roman Pontiff. The announcement was made by Monsignor Diego Ravelli, Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, confirming that the ceremony will take place privately, in the presence of Church dignitaries and Vatican officials.

This rite, though closed to the public, holds profound weight. It marks the final earthly moment of preparation before Pope Francis’ body is taken to Santa Maria Maggiore, the basilica he so dearly loved, for burial following the funeral Mass on Saturday.

In keeping with the wishes outlined in his testament, Pope Francis’ coffin is simple, wooden, and unembellished, placed nearly at floor level during the days of public veneration—a reflection of the humility that defined his papacy.

As tradition dictates, during the sealing rite:

• A brief record of his pontificate, known as a Rogito, will be placed within the coffin.
• Sacred objects, including medals and a sealed document, may be included.
• The coffin will then be enclosed and prepared for its final interment.

Though hidden from view, the ritual speaks clearly to the faithful: the Church honours her shepherd with reverence, not fanfare. In silence and ritual, Pope Francis is commended once more to the Lord.

The sealing will precede the Funeral Mass on Saturday, 26 April, at 10:00 AM Vatican Time (1:30 PM IST) in St. Peter’s Square, after which his body will be taken to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for burial.

In this sacred interval, the world pauses again—not for a spectacle, but for a prayer.

From Pattom to Peter’s Tomb: Cardinal Cleemis Present in Rome for Pope Francis’ Final Farewell

Vatican City – 23 April 2025

Just days after offering the incense prayer for Pope Francis at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom, His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos has arrived in Rome, joining the Universal Church in honouring the late Holy Father.

After presiding over the memorial service in Trivandrum, where the cathedral stood steeped in silence and smoke of prayer, His Beatitude departed for the Eternal City—quietly, without announcement, as is his manner. And so it was that on Wednesday morning, as the coffin of Pope Francis was borne across St. Peter’s Square in the solemn translatio, Cardinal Cleemis was there—present among the cardinals and bishops who flanked the procession.

In one image, his face is turned gently toward the simple wooden casket. In another, he walks alongside fellow prelates as the Swiss Guards stood in formation. These were not gestures of diplomacy, but of fraternal fidelity—of a bishop who had shared communion with the Pope not only in Rome, but in prayer, in purpose, and in pastoral witness.

As the Pope of the Peripheries was brought to rest at the heart of the Church, Cardinal Cleemis carried with him the prayers of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, and of a people bound in spirit to the successor of Peter.

From Pattom to Peter’s tomb, it is not distance that defines the Church, but unity in love.

He came as a son of the East, to honour the Bishop of Rome.
And in that act, the Church was shown once more to be one.

“Pope of the Peripheries” Welcomed by the World: Thousands Gather to Bid Farewell to Pope Francis

Vatican City – 23 April 2025

The morning sun rose over St. Peter’s Square, not in triumph, but in tenderness. At 9:00 AM local time, the coffin of Pope Francis was carried in solemn procession from Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the beginning of the public farewell to a shepherd who lived simply and walked humbly with his flock.

The rite, known as the translatio, began with prayer in the private chapel where Pope Francis had passed from this life. From there, the sediari pontifici—the bearers of the ancient papal throne—now shouldered a humbler weight: a plain wooden coffin, resting nearly at ground level, just as he had asked.

Accompanied by Swiss Guards in full ceremonial formation, cardinals, bishops, and Vatican officials, the procession crossed the square in reverent silence. Some among the 20,000 mourners gathered wept openly. Others clasped rosaries or raised tearful eyes as the coffin passed.

The crowd was global. Their faces diverse. But their prayer was one.

By 11:00 AM, the doors of the basilica opened, and the faithful began their slow, steady procession into the heart of Christendom. There, before the altar, the coffin of Pope Francis now rests—unadorned, quiet, and utterly close to the people. Pilgrims pause briefly—no lingering, no spectacle—just a moment of stillness, of prayer, of farewell.

He lies in state not on a throne, but on a modest wooden platform, almost at floor level—once more choosing nearness over height, presence over pageantry.

On Friday at 8:00 PM, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, as Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the ritual sealing of the coffin, a rite reserved for popes and carried out with solemn precision. Until then, the faithful will continue to pass through the Basilica in quiet waves—one Church, grieving and grateful.

The Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, 26 April, at 10:00 AM Vatican Time (1:30 PM IST) in St. Peter’s Square, after which the body of Pope Francis will be taken to St. Mary Major Basilica—his chosen place of burial.

He was called the “Pope of the peripheries.”
Today, the whole world has drawn to the centre—to Rome—not in pursuit of power, but in remembrance of mercy.

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“Don’t Forget to Pray for Me”: Rosary for Pope Francis Led by Cardinal Re in St. Peter’s Square

Vatican City – 23 April 2025

As twilight bathed the colonnades of St. Peter’s Square in soft gold, the Church gathered in silence and supplication. Thousands of faithful—religious sisters, priests, pilgrims, and lay faithful—stood together on Tuesday evening, lifting their voices in the ancient rhythm of the Rosary, offered for the repose of Pope Francis.

The prayer was led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, who will also preside over the Holy Father’s funeral on Saturday. Before beginning the Rosary, the Cardinal reminded all gathered of a truth that pierces through the veil of grief:

“Death is not a door that closes, but rather the entrance to the heavenly Jerusalem, where mourning is turned into dancing and the garment of grief into a robe of joy.”

The Rosary focused on the Glorious Mysteries—resurrection, ascension, the outpouring of the Spirit—each bead echoing with the faith that shaped Pope Francis’ life and the hope he carried for the world.

As the crowd prayed, it was impossible not to recall the Pope’s familiar appeal at the end of so many of his speeches and blessings:

“Please, don’t forget to pray for me.”

Now, in death, the Church has not forgotten. It remembers in its most Catholic form—through litany and silence, through mystery and communion.

“It is the entire flock of Christ, the Good Shepherd, that prays for Pope Francis,” Cardinal Re affirmed.

This Rosary marks just one of several liturgical moments leading to Saturday’s Funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square, and the entombment of the Holy Father at St. Mary Major Basilica.

In this sacred pause between death and burial, the Church speaks most powerfully—not through declarations, but through devotion. And in that devotion, the voice of Pope Francis lingers: gentle, unpretentious, and faithful.

His Beatitude Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Departs for Rome to Attend the Funeral of Pope Francis

Pattom, Trivandrum – 22 April 2025

As the bells of St. Mary’s Major Archbishop’s Cathedral tolled in quiet mourning, His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, departed for Rome to attend the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis, the 266th successor of St. Peter.

The air carries sorrow, but not despair—grief, but seasoned with faith. For in these days, as the Universal Church prepares to bid farewell to the Bishop of Rome, we witness not only the ending of a life, but the culmination of a vocation lived in mercy, humility, and Marian devotion.

On Wednesday, 23 April, the body of Pope Francis will be transferred from Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful may come and pray beside him—silent pilgrims to a quiet shepherd.

Then, on Saturday, 26 April 2025, at 10:00 AM Vatican Time (1:30 PM IST), the Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Peter’s Square, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. Concelebrating with him will be Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and clergy from across the globe—a living image of the communion which Pope Francis not only preached, but lived: a Church of bridges, not walls.

Among them stands His Beatitude Cardinal Cleemis, bearing in his heart the prayers of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, and in his presence, our communion with the See of Peter.

The funeral will conclude with the ancient rites of the Ultima commendatio and Valedictio, after which the body of Pope Francis will be brought to St. Mary Major Basilica—his chosen place of rest, in the shadow of Salus Populi Romani, the icon he so often venerated.

Following the funeral, the Church will enter the Novemdiales—nine days of prayer for the repose of his soul. Across our parishes, monasteries, and homes, we, too, will gather in remembrance, offering Holy Qurbono, incense, and prayer.

In mourning, we remain united. In prayer, we remain strong. And in gratitude, we commend Pope Francis—a servant of servants—to the embrace of the Eternal High Priest.

The Body of Pope Francis to Lie in State Until Saturday’s Funeral

Vatican City – 22 April 2025

The Church universal enters these days with the weight of sorrow and the fragrance of faith. In a gesture echoing centuries of sacred tradition, the mortal remains of His Holiness Pope Francis will be transferred on Wednesday to St. Peter’s Basilica, where he shall lie in state until his funeral on Saturday, 26 April 2025, at 10:00 AM Vatican Time (1:30 PM IST).

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square. Concelebrating with him shall be a gathering of Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the continents—an image of the universality Pope Francis so often evoked in word and deed.

The Holy Eucharist will culminate in the Ultima commendatio and Valedictio, ushering in the sacred days of Novemdiales—nine days of mourning, prayer, and daily Holy Qurbana for the repose of the soul of the Bishop of Rome.

As per the Holy See’s announcement, the Pope’s body will be solemnly carried from the Chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, 23 April, led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. This rite of translation will begin with prayer at 9:00 AM Vatican Time (12:30 PM IST), journeying through Santa Marta Square, Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, and finally through the Arch of the Bells into St. Peter’s Square.

At the Altar of the Confession, the Liturgy of the Word will be offered before the faithful are permitted to come forward—one by one—to pray beside the body of the late Pope.

Following Saturday’s funeral, his body will be carried to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment—a fitting resting place for a pontiff so deeply devoted to the Mother of God.

Symbols of Simplicity and Spirit: Pope Francis Lies in State at Casa Santa Marta

Vatican City – 22 April 2025

The room is still. The light is subdued. And in that silence, theology speaks—not through words, but through symbols.

Photographs released earlier today from the Vatican show Pope Francis lying in an open wooden coffin within the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, the residence he chose in life and now, in death, continues to sanctify by his presence.

Dressed in red liturgical vestments, symbolic of the blood of the martyrs and the fire of Pentecost, Pope Francis holds a rosary in his hands and wears the papal mitre—a white headdress signifying episcopal authority. Notably, he is adorned with a simple silver ring, not the ornate Fisherman’s Ring, which he rarely wore outside solemn occasions. That ring, the traditional seal of papal authority, is to be ritually destroyed by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, to mark the end of his office.

Around the coffin stand members of the Swiss Guard, the Pope’s traditional protectors since 1506. Their presence here is not merely ceremonial; it is a quiet honour guard of fidelity, history, and mourning.

Behind him, etched in Latin upon the chapel ceiling, are the words:
“Veni Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium”
(Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful)—a prayer not only for the next conclave, but for the world Pope Francis loved and served.

The symbolism continues in the very structure of the chapel. Triangular patterns in the ceiling and floor tiles reflect the mystery of the Holy Trinity, at the heart of Christian belief and the liturgical life of the Church.

One particular departure from past papal customs is both deeply personal and profoundly theological: Pope Francis lies in a single wooden coffin, as he had requested, rather than the traditional three-nested cypress, lead, and oak. This return to simplicity mirrors his entire pontificate—a life not marked by grandeur, but by grace.

Unlike his predecessors who were laid out upon raised platforms, Pope Francis rests within the coffin itself, open and visible to the faithful. In life, he was a Pope who lived close to the people. In death, he remains so.

He will remain in this chapel until Wednesday morning, when at 9:00 AM Vatican Time (12:30 PM IST), his body will be transferred in solemn procession to St. Peter’s Basilica, where the public may pay their respects ahead of his funeral on Saturday.

And so he lies—Franciscus. A shepherd of the peripheries, now surrounded by ancient rites, timeless symbols, and the prayers of a world in mourning.

General Congregations of Cardinals Begin in Vatican

Vatican City – 22 April 2025

In the hushed halls of the Synod, where centuries of faith have found voice, the College of Cardinals gathered on Tuesday morning for the first General Congregation since the death of Pope Francis. A moment of silent prayer opened the session, offering the repose of the Pope’s soul to the mercy of God.

Roughly sixty cardinals assembled for this solemn task—not merely of governance, but of discernment. As prescribed by the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, they took the oath binding them to the laws of the sede vacante: a sacred pause in the papal office, filled not with absence but with preparation.

The Adsumus, an invocation to the Holy Spirit traditionally sung before councils and synods, was raised once again within those walls—words echoing through the ages, asking not for human brilliance but divine guidance.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, read aloud the spiritual testament of Pope Francis—an intimate document expressing the heart of a pontificate now come to rest.

Paragraphs 12 and 13 of Universi Dominici Gregis were proclaimed, setting forth the procedures for this interregnum and the approaching papal election. These statutes, born of wisdom and sanctity, now shape the days ahead.

The Congregation also confirmed the dates previously released:

• The ceremonial transfer of Pope Francis’ body to St. Peter’s Basilica will take place on Wednesday morning, 23 April,
• The funeral is to be held on Saturday, 26 April at 10:00 AM Vatican Time (1:30 PM IST) in St. Peter’s Square.
• The second General Congregation is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, continuing the cardinals’ shared prayer and deliberation.

As part of the Novemdiales—the traditional nine days of mourning—the second memorial Holy Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, 27 April, presided over by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. From Monday onwards, these Masses will be held daily at 5:00 PM Vatican Time (8:30 PM IST).

To assist the Camerlengo in overseeing the Church during this period, a three-member commission of cardinals has been appointed by lot. Representing the three orders of the College, they are:

• Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Episcopal Order)
• Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko (Presbyteral Order)
• Cardinal Fabio Baggio (Diaconal Order)

This trio will serve for three days, to be succeeded in rotation by others, in accordance with the law of the Church.

As twilight descended upon the Vatican on Tuesday, the faithful were invited to gather once more—not in ceremony, but in supplication. A Rosary for the repose of Pope Francis was scheduled in St. Peter’s Square at 7:30 PM Rome Time (11:00 PM IST)—a reminder that the governance of the Church may be structured, but its soul is always prayer.

Steward of the Sede Vacante: Cardinal Kevin Farrell Now Oversees the Vatican

Vatican City – 22 April 2025

When the voice of the Shepherd falls silent, the Church does not collapse into confusion—it turns, with quiet solemnity, to ancient order. And now, during the interregnum known as “Apostolica Sedes Vacans”, the care of the temporal governance of the Vatican rests with Cardinal Kevin Farrell, appointed Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church by Pope Francis in 2019.

Born in Dublin in 1947, Cardinal Farrell’s path took him through the University of Salamanca, the Pontifical Gregorian University, and into more than three decades of pastoral service in the United States, most notably as Bishop of Dallas. In 2016, Pope Francis entrusted him with a newly created Vatican department for the laity, family, and life, raising him to the cardinalate soon after.

Now, at the age of 77, his role has taken on global visibility. It was he who presided over the Rite of Ascertainment of Death on Monday evening, confirming the passing of the Holy Father and overseeing the placement of his body into the coffin—rituals that form part of his sacred duty.

The Camerlengo, under canon law, has a focused and highly structured responsibility. While he does not wield papal authority, he is entrusted with:

• Securing the Vatican, including placing seals on the Papal apartments
• Overseeing daily operations and financial matters
• Organising the conclave that will elect the next Pope
• And presiding over certain rites and ceremonies connected to the Pope’s death

During this period, no major Church decisions or doctrinal declarations are made—but the machinery of the Church continues to function with discipline and reverence, shepherded by procedures long sanctified by time.

Cardinal Farrell, known for his pastoral warmth and administrative clarity, has thus stepped into one of the most delicate phases in ecclesial life—not as a successor, but as a steward. The heart of the Church may mourn, but its body remains ordered, prayerful, and deeply attentive.

As preparations for Pope Francis’ funeral continue, and the College of Cardinals gathers for daily congregations, Cardinal Farrell will continue to guide the Vatican’s daily affairs—not in his own name, but in quiet service to the Church that awaits her next successor to Peter.

Seals Placed on Santa Marta: Rite of Death and Vigil of Silence

Vatican City – 22 April 2025

The hour was quiet. The prayers whispered. The rites precise. On the evening of Monday, 21 April, the Church confirmed with solemnity what the faithful had already received in sorrow: Pope Francis had fallen asleep in the Lord.

Within the ground-floor chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, the rite affirming the Pope’s death and the placing of his body in the coffin was conducted with both dignity and discretion. The official declaration of death was read aloud and validated by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. The ceremony, rich in symbolism and silence, lasted just under an hour.

This was no mere formality. It was a sacred act—marking the earthly conclusion of a papacy lived in service, simplicity, and trust in the mercy of God.

Later that evening, the ancient practice of placing seals was observed. The doors of the Papal Apartment on the third floor of the Apostolic Palace, long unoccupied by Pope Francis, and the residential suite on the second floor of the Casa Santa Marta, which he had humbly chosen as his home, were sealed. These acts, enshrined in apostolic tradition, ensure that no document, possession, or personal item is disturbed during the interregnum.

The sealing of doors is a visible gesture of an invisible truth: the sede vacante has begun. The See of Peter is empty. The Church now prays, watches, and prepares.

On Tuesday morning, the first General Congregation of Cardinals will convene, continuing the rhythm of tradition and discernment. Among the items on the agenda: the coordination of mourning rites and the final confirmation of funeral details, already set for Saturday, 26 April.

As candles flicker and prayers rise from chapels to squares, the Church enters into mourning—but not as those without hope. For the man who refused splendour has now stepped into glory, his doors sealed, his name already inscribed in the memory of the faithful.

Cardinal Farrell Presides Over Rite Confirming the Death of Pope Francis

Vatican City – 22 April 2025

In the hush of twilight, beneath the gentle lights of the Casa Santa Marta chapel, a final rite was carried out—solemn, ancient, and necessary. On Monday evening at 8:00 PM, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, presided over the Rite of the Ascertainment of Death and the placement of Pope Francis’ body in the coffin.

The ceremony, conducted in quiet dignity, marked the definitive transition from earthly care to ecclesial memory. Gathered around were key figures who had shared the Pope’s final hours and responsibilities:

• Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals
• Dr. Andrea Arcangeli and Dr. Luigi Carbone, Director and Deputy Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene
• Family members of the late Holy Father

As part of the rite, the official declaration of death was read aloud. Its words, though brief, echoed with gravity—the voice of the Church affirming what heaven already knew: that her shepherd had passed from labour to rest.

Dr. Andrea Arcangeli reiterated the cause of death: a stroke, followed by coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. His medical report, consistent with earlier statements, also noted the Pope’s history of acute respiratory failure, bronchiectasis, hypertension, and Type II diabetes.

There was no pomp, no spectacle—only the reverence of ritual, the clarity of canonical order, and the intimacy of farewell.

From this moment, the Church enters a sacred pause. The See of Peter is empty. And in this emptiness, there is expectation—not only for the election to come, but for the Church’s continual turning to prayer, to memory, and to hope.

India Mourns Pope Francis: Three Days of National Tribute and Kerala’s Unified Remembrance

New Delhi / Thiruvananthapuram – 22 April 2025

In a rare and solemn gesture, the Government of India has declared a three-day State Mourning in honour of Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, who passed away on 21 April 2025. The mourning will be observed on 22 and 23 April, and again on the day of the Holy Father’s funeral, set for Saturday, 26 April.

A statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs read:

“As a mark of respect, three-day State Mourning shall be observed throughout India… The national flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings, and there will be no official entertainment during this period.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offering heartfelt condolences, described Pope Francis as a “beacon of compassion, humility, and spiritual courage.” In a message shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister recalled the Pope’s deep commitment to the suffering and marginalised, and their own meetings marked by shared reflections on inclusive development and global unity.

“His affection for the people of India will always be cherished,” the Prime Minister wrote.
“May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace.”

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also expressed sorrow, calling Pope Francis “a kind leader whose compassion defined his papacy.”

Across Kerala, where the Catholic community shares deep historical and spiritual ties with the global Church, leaders from every political persuasion mourned the Pope’s death with remarkable unity.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described Pope Francis as “an ardent advocate for the poor and marginalised”, while Speaker A N Shamseer reflected on the Pope’s “simplicity and compassion, which gave hope to millions.”

KPCC President K. Sudhakaran announced a three-day period of mourning within the party, cancelling all programmes and recalling the Pope’s humanism and moral clarity on issues ranging from climate justice to global peace.

Opposition Leader V D Satheesan noted the Pope’s last public Easter message, which remembered the suffering in Gaza, showing that “his heart remained with the afflicted until the very end.”

Union Minister George Kurian, BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty, Congress veteran A K Antony, and CPI(M) State Secretary M V Govindan were among the many who spoke with reverence and gratitude, reflecting on a life lived “for the well-being of humanity.”

While words differ, the sentiment across India is unmistakable: Pope Francis was not only a religious figure, but a moral voice in a fractured world—one who reached beyond ecclesiastical walls to touch lives with kindness, courage, and disarming humility.

As the Church enters the Novemdiales, nine days of prayer and remembrance, India joins in mourning. The flag may hang low, but the memory of Pope Francis remains lifted high—in the hearts of the faithful, and in the quiet prayers of a nation.

Incense and Communion: Syro-Malankara Church Remembers Pope Francis in Pattom Cathedral

Pattom, Trivandrum – 21 April 2025

In the quiet hush of St. Mary’s Major Archbishop’s Cathedral, the Mother Church of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, incense rose like silent song—a fragrant prayer offered for His Holiness Pope Francis, whose earthly pilgrimage came to a close in Rome.

The incense prayer and memorial was presided over in the sacred presence of His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. This rite of remembrance was not only an expression of mourning, but an act of communion—a solemn unity with the Universal Church, in gratitude for a pontificate shaped by mercy, humility, and bold simplicity.

Joining him in prayer were

• His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Mathews Mor Polycarpos, Auxiliary Bishop of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum
• His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Mathews Mor Pachomios, Bishop of the Eparchy of St. Ephrem – Khadki – Pune
• numerous priests, religious Sisters, and members of the faithful.

Though the assembly was modest in number, it was deep in spirit—proving that remembrance is not a matter of scale but of love, and prayer its most enduring form.

The altar was simple, yet profound. Outside the iconostasis, a cutout of Pope Francis was placed with reverent care—his familiar, gentle gaze seeming once more to bless the faithful. In that moment, under the dome of Pattom Cathedral, a fragment of Rome was made present—not through artefact or inscription, but through prayer, incense, and the bonds of Catholic communion.

This act was no mere liturgical formality. It was a declaration of fidelity—that we, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, rooted in the East yet one with Peter, share in the sorrow and gratitude of the Church Universal. We mourn the death of Pope Francis, but more so, we give thanks for the man who lived the Beatitudes and bore the Gospel in the scent of mercy.

May his memory be eternal.
And may the incense that rose from Pattom be gathered among the prayers of the saints.

The Eighth at Mary’s Feet: Pope Francis to Be Buried at Santa Maria Maggiore

Rome – 22 April 2025

With the humility that marked his life and the clarity that shaped his papacy, Pope Francis will be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica—not beneath the marble splendour of St. Peter’s Basilica, but in the Marian sanctuary that was always close to his heart. In doing so, he becomes the first pope in over 350 years to be laid to rest there, and the Eighth in history.

In December 2023, the Holy Father quietly remarked:

“A place is already prepared.”

Now, that intention becomes reality.

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas and the oldest church in the West dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, holds within it a lineage of holy shepherds, including:

• Pope Honorius III (d. 1227), who confirmed the Rule of St. Francis
• Pope Nicholas IV (d. 1292), the first Franciscan pope
• St. Pius V (d. 1572), Dominican reformer and defender of the Council of Trent
• Pope Sixtus V (d. 1590), Roman renovator and builder of the Chapel of the Cradle
• Pope Paul V
• Pope Clement VIII (d. 1605), reviser of the Latin Vulgate and friend of St. Philip Neri
• Pope Clement IX (d. 1669), confessor to the poor and beatifier of St. Rose of Lima

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now takes his place in this sacred line—not by honour, but by request. In his 2022 testament, he asked that his mortal remains be placed “in the earth, without particular decoration,” and marked only by the name: Franciscus.

“I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy,” he wrote.
“I wish that my last earthly journey conclude precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary.”

His burial site lies between the Pauline Chapel, home to the ancient icon of Salus Populi Romani, and the Sforza Chapel, in a modest niche.

While popes since the early 20th century have rested under the Vatican, Pope Francis returns to a more ancient custom—his choice not only rich in symbolism, but deeply personal. He had visited St. Mary Major more than 100 times, often laying flowers before the Madonna before and after every apostolic journey.

The basilica, founded in 432 A.D. following the Council of Ephesus, is steeped in Marian devotion. It is also where the relics of the Holy Cradle—believed to be from Bethlehem—are venerated, and where the great feast of Our Lady of the Snows is celebrated each August.

In this place, beneath mosaics of the Incarnation and under the eyes of the Queen of Peace, Pope Francis will now rest—not far from the faithful he loved, and always within the embrace of the Mother he trusted.

Franciscus and the Madonna: A Pope’s Final Rest at St Mary Major

Rome – 21 April 2025

When popes die, they are buried beneath the splendour of St Peter’s, among their predecessors, under the dome that soars like a lifted prayer. But Pope Francis, in life as in death, declined grandeur for grace.

In accordance with his will, dated 29 June 2022, Pope Francis will be buried not within the Vatican walls, but at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore—a decision that breaks with over a century of tradition. He becomes the first pope since Leo XIII in 1903 to be laid to rest outside the Vatican.

The reason for this request lies not in history, but in devotion.

“I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy,” he wrote in his testament.
“Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest… in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.”

That phrase is more than piety. It is biography.

From the first days of his papacy, Pope Francis was seen often at this fifth-century basilica—built shortly after the Council of Ephesus proclaimed Mary as Theotokos, the Mother of God. The Pope prayed there before and after each of his more than 100 apostolic journeys, always bringing flowers to the image of the Salus Populi Romani. According to Fr. Ivan Ricupero, the basilica’s master of ceremonies, the Pope visited 125 times since his election.

In a passage that reads more like poetry than protocol, Francis asked for his tomb to be prepared between the Pauline Chapel—which houses that revered Marian icon—and the Sforza Chapel, in a niche in the earth, “simple, without particular decoration,” bearing only one word:
Franciscus

There is to be no papal title. No mention of years or glory. Just a name—unadorned, as was his life.

The coffin, too, will reflect this request: a simple wooden casket, departing from the customary triple-nesting coffins made of cypress, lead, and oak. The cost of the burial is being covered by a private benefactor, arranged through Mons. Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.

This Marian sanctuary, some 4 kilometres from the Vatican, has been a haven for the Pope both physically and spiritually. It was here he marked his first public devotion, and now, it is here he has chosen to end his earthly pilgrimage.

“The suffering that has become present in the last part of my life,” he wrote,
“I have offered to the Lord for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples.”

In this quiet tomb beneath the mother’s gaze, Pope Francis—Franciscus—awaits the Resurrection.

“Franciscus”: The Simplicity of a Pope’s Testament

Vatican City – 21 April 2025

In a Church of pageantry and papal robes, Pope Francis chose, as ever, simplicity. His spiritual testament, dated 29 June 2022—the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul—was released by the Holy See, and it reveals a final act of devotion not wrapped in pomp, but in profound humility.

It opens not with biography, nor reflection, but with prayer:
“In the name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.”

What follows is not a catalogue of instructions, but one request—quiet and clear. Pope Francis asks that his body, awaiting the Resurrection, be laid to rest in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Marian sanctuary he frequented at the dawn and dusk of every Apostolic Journey. There, before the ancient icon of the Salus Populi Romani, he knelt not as Pope, but as son.

“Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord… For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest… in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.”

No marble canopy. No gilded tomb. Just a simple grave in the ground, marked with a single word: Franciscus.

He even specifies the niche—between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel—and arranges for the cost to be borne by a benefactor whose gift was entrusted to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.

There is no farewell in his words, only a quiet benediction:

“May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me.”

And in one final act of priestly offering, Pope Francis writes:

“The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.”

Here lies not just a testament of burial, but the essence of a pontificate—one shaped by mercy, marked by Marian devotion, and sealed in silent suffering for the sake of the world.

As the Church prepares for his funeral and the coming conclave, this short testament speaks more loudly than volumes: the heart of a Pope who never ceased to walk with the poor, and who now rests, simply, in the house of the Mother.

Stroke and Heart Collapse: The Medical Report on the Death of Pope Francis

Vatican City – 21 April 2025

Death arrives without negotiation, but not without grace. On Monday evening, the Holy See Press Office released the official medical report on the passing of Pope Francis, offering the final clinical details of a profoundly human moment.

According to Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, the Pope died of a stroke, which led to coma and an irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. His death was medically confirmed through electrocardiographic thanatography, a solemn tool in the science of finality.

The report outlines a history of acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, hypertension, and Type II diabetes. All were borne quietly, as was the Pontiff’s way—never drawing attention to his suffering, but instead offering attention to the suffering of others.

In his formal declaration, Dr. Arcangeli stated:
“I hereby declare that the causes of death, to the best of my knowledge and judgment, are as stated above.”

Yet even the most precise statement of medicine cannot measure the mystery of a life handed over to God. Pope Francis, who gave his final public embrace to the faithful just hours before his passing, continued to witness—right to the end—the closeness of Christ to the vulnerable, the poor, and the ill.

As the Universal Church now prepares for his funeral and the sacred rites of mourning, we reflect not only on how he died, but how he lived: simply, humbly, and always in the hope of the Resurrection.

“Thank You for Bringing Me Back to the Square”: Pope Francis’ Final Hours and Last Embrace

Vatican City – 21 April 2025

There are saints who die in seclusion, and others who seem to take a final bow—not to applause, but to a multitude of unseen prayers. His Holiness Pope Francis, the Bishop of Rome and shepherd of the Universal Church, breathed his last in the quiet hours of dawn on Monday. Yet, his final words were not theological, nor formal. They were simple. Human. Holy.

“Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.”
These were among the last utterances of Pope Francis, spoken to Massimiliano Strappetti, his devoted personal healthcare assistant, on Easter Sunday—mere hours before his sudden passing. A man of the people until the end, Pope Francis offered one final gesture to the faithful: a surprise ride in the popemobile after imparting the Urbi et Orbi blessing.

He had hesitated, asking Mr. Strappetti quietly, “Do you think I can manage it?”—a question that carried both humility and courage. And then, through the arms of 50,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, he passed once more, waving, blessing, and—most especially—embracing children, his countenance weary, but filled with a quiet joy.

This was to be his last public appearance.

That evening, he dined simply and rested. At 5:30 AM Vatican Time (9:00 AM IST) the next morning, he suddenly fell ill. Within the hour, as those at his bedside responded in haste, he offered a faint wave of farewell to Mr. Strappetti—and then fell into a coma. It was a swift, peaceful passing: a hidden death for a man who had always borne his frailty without spectacle.

It was the day after Easter. His final blessing had already been given. His last ride among the faithful had been completed. And his last “thank you” had not been to a cardinal or a dignitary—but to the man who had stood beside him in illness, and who helped him return, one last time, to the embrace of the Church in the Square.

For us in the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, this moment echoes with resonance. From Thiruvananthapuram to Tiruvalla, from Mavelikara to Marthandam, our Church joins in mourning with the Universal Church. The final days of Pope Francis, filled with silent suffering and quiet joy, remind us of the strength that lies in simplicity—the strength that shaped his papacy and now adorns his passing.

Let us remember him in our Holy Qurbanas, in our incense prayers, and in our gatherings across our Ecclesiastical Districts.

May the servant of God, Pope Francis, now rest in the presence of the Shepherd he followed with love.