Pope Francis, Rest in Peace.
A Statement from the Bishops of Orange (California) on the Passing of Pope Francis —
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
With heavy yet prayerful hearts, we mourn the passing of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis. In this moment of great loss, we give thanks for the life of a shepherd who embodied the Gospel with humility, mercy and an unwavering faith in God’s boundless love.
From the very beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis called us to embrace the Lord’s command to evangelize, urging us in Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) to go forth boldly, reaching out to all people and proclaiming the Good News with renewed fervor. His witness has profoundly shaped our own mission as a diocese, inspiring us to be a Church that is not turned in on itself but one that goes out, serving the poor, welcoming the lost and walking alongside all who seek Christ.
The faithful and clergy are invited to join Bishop Vann in prayer for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis as we celebrate the Divine Mercy Mass at Christ Cathedral on Sunday, April 27 at 10 a.m.
Click here to read the full statement. Translations of the statement are available on the RCBO newsroom page and here.
Vatican City, Apr 21, 2025 / 05:48 am
Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, officially announced the pope’s death in a video message. “At 7:35 this morning, the bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” Farrell stated.
Updates: The Funeral Mass for Pope Francis will be held in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, April 26, at 10 AM, presided by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.
He will be joined by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, priests, consecrated religious, and lay faithful from around the world to bid farewell to Pope Francis.
All parishioners, including children, should be encouraged to pray for Pope Francis, suggestions include
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be
USCCB: Novena for Pope Francis (the novendiales period from April 26 to May 4, 2025)
Prayer for the repose of the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI from Vatican News:
Father, eternal shepherd, hear the prayers of your people for your servant Benedict, who governed your Church with love. In your mercy, bring him with the flock once entrusted to his care to the reward you have promised your faithful servants.
May he who faithfully administered the mysteries of your forgiveness and love on earth, rejoice with you for ever in heaven. In your wise and loving care, you made your servant teacher of all your Church. He did the work of Christ on earth. May your Son welcome him into eternal glory.
May your servant whom you appointed high priest of your flock be counted now among the priests in the life of your kindgom. Give your servant the reward of eternal happiness and let your mercy win for us the gift of your life and love.
We entrust your servant to your mercy with faith and confidence. In the human family he was an instrument of your peace and love. May he rejoice in those gifts for ever with your saints.
Amen.
