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Various factors are at play when it comes to the decision of a burial place for a pope. Pope Francis has chosen the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore.
At the first general congregation of cardinals in Rome on Tuesday, the estimated 60 cardinals in attendance chose the date of Pope Francis’ funeral.
Pope Francis greeted the faithful around the world for the last time from St. Peter’s Basilica on the most important day for Christians: Easter.
Rooted in ancient Christian and Roman customs, the Novendiales is a period of nine consecutive days dedicated to mourning the death of a pope.
Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Gaza, summed up Pope Francis’ last call on Saturday night, April 19, moments before the Easter Vigil.
During his papacy, Pope Francis shared advice and bits of practical wisdom on how to get along with one another, including within the family.
Here are some of the key words and phrases that will be used throughout the interregnum, especially the conclave to elect the new pope.
His words often focused on the dignity of the poor, migrants, refugees, and the elderly as well as the importance of marriage, family life, and care for the environment.
In accordance with his personal wishes, Francis will not be buried in the Vatican grottoes but instead at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell is a key figure in the papal succession because of his appointment in 2019 as the camerlengo of the apostolic chamber.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell presided over the rite in the chapel of Pope Francis’ Vatican residence, the Casa Santa Marta, just a little over 12 hours after the pontiff’s death.
Thousands of Catholics gathered together in prayer for the Holy Father, who passed away at age 88 due to complications from a medical crisis earlier in the spring.
The pope’s traditional blessing, “urbi et orbi,” was read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, but Pope Francis later toured St. Peter's Square in the popemobile.
“We must look for him without ceasing,” the pope’s prepared text emphasized. “Because if he has risen from the dead, then he is present everywhere”
“Urbi et orbi” means “To the city [of Rome] and to the world.” It is a special apostolic blessing given by the pope every year on Easter Sunday, Christmas, and other special occasions.
“It falls to us to proclaim this Easter hope, this ‘turning point’ where darkness becomes light,” the pope wrote in the homily, delivered by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.
Unable to attend the Good Friday ceremony in person for the third consecutive year, the pope offered deep meditations for the Way of the Cross.
The Good Friday Reproaches are a series of antiphons, known also as “Popule Meus” (“My People”), coming from the opening lines of the Latin text of the recitation.
Father Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap, in his homily emphasized the importance of self-gift over self-reliance and on surrender of one’s life and suffering to God.
The recently restored Ponte Sant’Angelo in Rome features 10 angels holding symbols of Christ’s passion, creating a profound spiritual journey for jubilee pilgrims.