A panoramic view of St. Peter’s Square filled with faithful attending Easter Sunday Mass at the Vatican on April 20, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Vatican City, Apr 22, 2025 / 17:08 pm (CNA).

With the death of Pope Francis on Monday, the Catholic Church has entered a mourning period, which will include nine days of Masses offered for the repose of his soul known as the “Novendiales.”  

Rooted in ancient Christian and Roman customs, the Novendiales is a period of nine consecutive days dedicated to mourning the death of a pope. The practice dates back centuries, mirroring the ancient Roman tradition of a nine-day funeral rite.

According to Church law, while the mourning period begins immediately upon the pope’s death, marking the official start of the “sede vacante,” or papal interregnum, the Novendiales will begin on the day of the pope’s funeral, scheduled for April 26, and will be followed by consecutive days of Masses until May 4.

In the days leading up to the funeral, the late pope’s body is placed in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful can pay their final respects. Pope Francis will lie in state from Wednesday morning until the funeral Saturday morning. 

The funeral: A global farewell 

Between the fourth and sixth day after the pope’s death, the papal funeral takes place in St. Peter’s Basilica or St. Peter’s Square, presided over by the dean of the College of Cardinals, who is currently Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Pope Francis’ funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. Rome time.

The funeral follows the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the Vatican’s official liturgical text for papal funerals, which was updated at Pope Francis’ request in 2024. The late pope’s face, his body having been placed in a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc, is covered with a silk veil. 

The ceremony is attended by heads of state, religious leaders, and thousands of faithful from around the world. At the end of the Mass, the traditional antiphon “In Paradisum” is sung, asking for the angels to guide the pope’s soul to heaven. 

“May angels lead you into paradise; upon your arrival, may the martyrs receive you and lead you to the holy city of Jerusalem. May the ranks of angels receive you, and with Lazarus, the poor man, may you have eternal rest.” 

Pope Francis, in accordance with his personal wishes expressed in his final testament, will not be buried in the Vatican grottoes but instead at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a basilica that he visited more than 100 times during his papacy before and after his international trips in devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

The Novendiales  

The nine-day period of Novendiales Masses begins on the day of the pope’s funeral, in accordance with the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis.

Each day, a cardinal chosen by the late pope presides over a requiem Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. Red is the liturgical color for the Novendiales Masses, which follow the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (2024).

While the Masses are open to the public, each day traditionally focuses on a particular group associated with the pope. The day after the funeral, Vatican City residents and employees are typically invited to attend. On the third day, clergy from the Diocese of Rome concelebrate the Mass, and on the seventh day, members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are invited. 

The Holy See Press Office has confirmed that the Mass scheduled to take place in St. Peter’s Square for the Jubilee of Teenagers on Sunday morning presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin will be the second Novendiales Mass. The following Masses will take place in the afternoon each day until May 4. 

The general congregations 

The mourning period is not only a time of prayer but also of preparation. Throughout the Novendiales, the College of Cardinals gathers daily for general congregations to discuss the Church’s next steps. Cardinals under the age of 80, who are eligible to vote in the upcoming conclave, are required to travel to Rome to take part in the election of the next pope. 

The first general congregation can take place as soon as two days after the pope’s death. In these initial meetings, the cardinals focus on funeral arrangements and setting a date for the conclave.  

By the eighth general congregation, discussions shift to the broader state of the Church and the major issues facing the Roman Curia. The Vatican has emphasized that no names of papabile — cardinals considered leading candidates to be elected pope — are brought up during these pre-conclave congregations.  

The mourning period concludes with the end of the Novendiales, after which the Church formally begins the process of selecting the next successor of Peter. The conclave typically begins around the 15th day after the pope’s death. 

As the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica toll in mourning, Catholics around the world pause to reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis. For nearly two weeks, the Church waits before the conclave begins and then waits a little longer for the white smoke to rise from the Sistine Chapel once again, signaling the election of a new pope. 

Pope Francis reiterated his call for peace for Gaza and the Holy Land in his April 20, 2025, urbi et orbi message. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Vatican City, Apr 22, 2025 / 16:33 pm (CNA).

“He told us he was praying for us, blessed us, and thanked us for our prayers on his behalf,” said Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Gaza, summing up Pope Francis’ last call on Saturday night, April 19, moments before going to St. Peter’s Basilica to pray before the Easter Vigil.

The deeply moved Argentine priest explained in detail to Vatican News the Holy Father’s final gesture of closeness toward them, two days before his death.

“Pope Francis is a pastor who loves and follows this small community of ours. He prays and works for peace,” said Romanelli, noting that since the pontiff’s death, the Christian communities in Gaza — Catholic and Orthodox — have united in prayer for Pope Francis.

The priest of the Institute of the Incarnate Word did not hesitate to convert the parish complex in Gaza into a makeshift shelter during the fighting between Israel and Hamas. The parish currently houses 500 people. The majority are Orthodox Christians, Protestants, and Catholics, but it also serves as a shelter for more than 50 Muslim children with disabilities and their families.

Romanelli recalled how, over the past 19 months, the Holy Father has maintained constant contact with Gaza. “He was concerned about how we were doing, whether we had eaten, about the children,” the priest related.

In fact, he didn’t even stop calling to console them during the 38 days he was in Gemelli Hospital for bronchitis that led to double pneumonia.

“We hope that his appeals won’t be ignored: that the bombing will stop, that this war will end, that the hostages will be released, and that humanitarian aid will reach those who are suffering,” Romanelli said.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Pope Francis greets the crowd from the popemobile on Easter Sunday morning, April 20, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

ACI Prensa Staff, Apr 22, 2025 / 15:54 pm (CNA).

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, the heart and foundation of the Catholic faith that proclaims Christ’s triumph over sin and death.

On the morning of April 20, before tens of thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis appeared from the central loggia of the basilica to deliver his Easter message.

His face marked by fatigue and his voice broken by his difficulty breathing, the Holy Father delivered with great effort what would be his last blessing: “Dear brothers and sisters: Happy Easter!” A day later, on the morning of April 21, Pope Francis died at the age of 88.

In his Easter message, read Sunday by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, master of pontifical ceremonies, the Holy Father expressed his profound longing for peace and hoped “that the principle of humanity as its cardinal axis may never fail.”

“On this day, I would like us to once again hope and trust in others — even those who are not close to us or who come from distant lands, with customs, lifestyles, ideas, and habits different from those we are most familiar with — for we are all children of God,” Pope Francis expressed.

At the end of his message, the pontiff gave the faithful one of those “surprises” that have characterized the final days of his pontificate since he was discharged from Gemelli Hospital in Rome on March 23.

Pope Francis made the circuit of the packed square for about 20 minutes, greeting the 35,000 faithful with affection and warmth from the popemobile, the crowd reciprocating with applause and cheers, a scene captured for posterity.

Since his discharge from the hospital, Pope Francis appeared in public on several occasions, always unexpectedly, without an official public agenda.

Although he was not expected to receive large groups or hold audiences during his convalescence, he reappeared for the first time on April 6 to participate in the Jubilee of the Sick.

He also held a private meeting with the British monarchs after the cancellation of their official visit to the Vatican, and on April 10, he surprised everyone with a visit, without papal attire, to St. Peter's Basilica to pray at the tomb of St. Pius X.

The Holy Father also visited St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome to pray before the icon of the Virgin Mary, “Salus Populi Romani” (“Protection of the Roman People”), to whom he always held a great devotion. On Palm Sunday, he could be seen without nasal cannulas greeting the cardinals and faithful at the end of Mass.

Just five days ago, he visited Rome’s Regina Coeli prison on the afternoon of Holy Thursday to meet with 70 inmates. He also reappeared at the Vatican basilica on Holy Saturday to be close to the faithful who were about to celebrate the Easter Vigil.

In addition, on April 16, he received at the Vatican 70 members of the medical teams of Gemelli Hospital to thank them for their care during his hospitalization.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Manila, Philippines. / Credit: Kagejuni001, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rome Newsroom, Apr 22, 2025 / 14:37 pm (CNA).

Cardinal José Advíncula, OP, and Cardinal Pablo David — two of three cardinal electors appointed by Pope Francis — on Tuesday presided over requiem Masses in the Philippines and praised the late Holy Father for his humble service and love for the poor and wounded.

Speaking to Catholic faithful gathered inside the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (also known as “Manila Cathedral”) in the country’s capital, Advíncula, who was made a cardinal in 2020, said Filipinos should be “filled with gratitude” for the gift of Pope Francis’ pontificate.

“From the very beginning of his Petrine ministry, the Holy Father has reminded us that the Church must be close to the poor, merciful to all, and a welcoming home for the forgotten,” the prelate said on Tuesday morning.

Referring to the pope as “Lolo [Grandpa] Kiko,” the cardinal archbishop of Manila said Francis had a “special love for Filipinos all over the world” and “embraced” the joy and faith of Asia’s largest Christian nation. The Philippines has a Catholic population of approximately 85 million people, according to the country’s latest census.

“We will always remember his visit to our country in 2015 — a moment of grace forever etched in our national memory,” he said. “Under the rain in Tacloban, standing with the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda, Pope Francis showed us what it means to suffer with others and find hope in the midst of pain.” 

“His presence, prayers, and preaching have confirmed us in faith, enlivened our hope, and animated us to charity,” he added.

David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines who was created a cardinal in the pope’s last consistory in December 2024, presided over the Tuesday afternoon requiem Mass at the San Roque Cathedral Parish in the Diocese of Kalookan. 

Describing the pope as a “bridge builder,” David said the Argentine pontiff wanted an inclusive Church that builds “bridges over troubled waters” and not walls to divide people in society.  

“Today we weep and mourn the passing of our beloved Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who, in spite of his advanced age, was able to serve as successor of Peter, bishop of Rome and supreme pontiff,” the cardinal said in homily.

“Pope Francis taught us how to treat not just fellow Catholics, not just fellow Christians, not just fellow believers, but all human beings — and even every fellow creature in our common home — as a fellow traveler in a common journey as fellow pilgrims of hope,” he said.

“[Jesus] never meant the Church to be an exclusive company of the righteous,” he added, saying: “He always meant the Church to be a field hospital for the wounded and the sick.”

Advíncula and David are expected to travel to Rome to participate — alongside fellow Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect for the section of first evangelization of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization — in the upcoming conclave to elect the next leader of the universal Church. It will be the first time in the Church’s history that three Filipino cardinals will participate in a papal conclave.

A memorial for Pope Francis is set up at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral of the Coptic Catholics in Qusiya, Egypt. / Credit: Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral of the Coptic Catholics in Qusiya

ACI MENA, Apr 22, 2025 / 13:56 pm (CNA).

On Monday morning, April 21, the Christian world was shaken by the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88. His death marked the end of a life of faith and service that spanned decades, culminating in 12 years of humble service as the Roman pontiff.

In the midst of the Easter season — a time Francis long proclaimed as a message of hope — churches across the Middle East are bidding the pope farewell with liturgies and prayer, while Arab leaders are paying tribute to him with messages of respect and appreciation. 

Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan of the Syriac Catholic Church offered prayers on behalf of the synod, clergy, and faithful for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul, asking the Lord to reward him with the inheritance of the kingdom for his pastoral service and profound acts of charity. The patriarch presided over a special Easter Monday Mass for his repose and invited bishops and priests to commemorate the pope in the Eucharistic celebrations.

The Chaldean Patriarchate Louis Raphaël I Sako also expressed deep sorrow at the loss of a pope described as “great” in humanity, openness, love, and spirituality. The patriarchate recalled his historic visit to Iraq in March 2021, affirming the belief that Francis had entered the kingdom of heaven during the glorious Easter feast.

Catholicos-Patriarch Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian of the Armenian Catholic Church quoted St. Paul in his tribute: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness” (2 Tm 4:7-8). He affirmed that Pope Francis lived as a true shepherd, full of mercy and a tireless proclaimer of peace in a world thirsting for hope.

In Egypt, the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops, headed by Patriarch Ibrahim Isaac of Alexandria for Coptic Catholics, mourned the Roman pontiff, describing him as a symbol of humility and mercy who dedicated his life to serving humanity and advocating for the poor and marginalized, radiating a message of peace and reconciliation among peoples.

In Jerusalem, Latin patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, announced a holy Mass to be held on Wednesday at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher for the repose of the pope’s soul, expressing heartfelt gratitude for his service to the universal Church.

The Coptic Orthodox Church, led by Pope Tawadros II, also expressed its condolences to the Catholic Church, praising Pope Francis’ love, humility, and authentic Christian witness — calling him a living testimony of faithful service.

Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X of Antioch described Pope Francis as a bearer of a lofty Christian mission, noting that his departure is a loss for all humanity, especially given his repeated calls for peace and an end to wars across the globe.

The Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon praised the pope’s ministry, marked by profound compassion for every suffering soul. The council urged priests to offer Masses and the faithful to pray the rosary for his repose. It also called on Catholic churches and monasteries to ring bells at noon on the day of his funeral, Saturday.

Patriarch Theophilos III of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem expressed deep sorrow, calling the pope’s life “a living witness to the Gospel and a model of true Christian discipleship.” He recalled Pope Francis’ request for a simple funeral as a final act of humility.

Patriarch Mar Awa III of the Assyrian Church of the East remembered the pope as a man of genuine and sincere Christian spirit. He noted the symbolic timing of his death on Easter Monday, saying it reflected his closeness to Christ. The patriarch highlighted Pope Francis’ remarkable legacy, especially in advancing ecumenical dialogue and promoting unity among the churches.

From the Islamic world, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, grand imam of Al-Azhar, paid a heartfelt tribute, referring to Pope Francis as a “brother in humanity” and a noble figure of compassion. He commended the pope’s tireless efforts to foster interfaith dialogue, including the historic 2019 signing of the Document on Human Fraternity. Al-Tayeb emphasized Pope Francis’ firm stand against Islamophobia and his support for justice in Gaza.

Several Arab leaders also mourned Pope Francis, including the presidents of Lebanon, Algeria, Iraq, and Egypt.

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan wrote on X: “My sincere condolences to Catholics around the world. Pope Francis was a global symbol of tolerance, love, and solidarity. He worked with the UAE for years to promote these values for the benefit of all humanity.”

This story was first published by ACI MENA, CNA's Arabic-language news partner, and has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Pope Francis prays at the “Garden of Angels” section of the Laurentino Cemetery in Rome on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Apr 22, 2025 / 13:26 pm (CNA).

The Vatican on Tuesday released a previously unpublished text by Pope Francis following his passing on Monday containing the late pontiff’s reflections on aging and death. 

“We must not be afraid of old age; we must not fear embracing becoming old, because life is life, and sugarcoating reality means betraying the truth of things,” wrote Francis in the preface to a book in Italian by Cardinal Angelo Scola, “Awaiting a New Beginning: Reflections on Old Age,” which will be available on Thursday. 

In the late Holy Father’s introduction to Scola’s book, he expressed gratitude to the former archbishop of Milan for seeking to restore pride in aging, which he said is “too often considered unhealthy.”

The problem, Francis asserted, is not that we grow old but how we grow old. For old age to become a time “truly fruitful and capable of radiating goodness,” Francis stressed that it must be lived “as a grace, and not with resentment,” and accepted “with a sense of gratitude and thankfulness” in spite of suffering. 

“Because to say ‘old’ does not mean ‘to be discarded,’ as a degraded culture of waste sometimes leads us to think,” Francis wrote. “Saying ‘old’ instead means saying experience, wisdom, knowledge, discernment, thoughtfulness, listening, slowness… Values of which we are in great need!”

On this note, Francis pointed to the role of grandparents in society, emphasizing their role in promoting the “balanced development of the young” and a culture of peace. 

“Amid the frenzy of our societies, often devoted to the ephemeral and the unhealthy taste for appearances, the wisdom of grandparents becomes a shining beacon, shedding light on uncertainty and providing direction to grandchildren, who can draw from their experience something ‘extra’ for their daily lives,” he wrote. 

Scola’s writing, he said, “born from thought and affection,” bring the prospect of aging and death to bear in the context of Christianity, which he said “is not so much an intellectual or a moral choice but rather the affection for a person — that Christ who came to meet us and decided to call us friends.”

Ultimately, Francis wrote, “it is precisely the conclusion of these pages by Angelo Scola, a heartfelt confession of how he is preparing himself for the final encounter with Jesus, that gives us a consoling certainty: Death is not the end of everything but the beginning of something.” 

“It is a new beginning, as the [book’s] title wisely highlights, because eternal life, which those who love already begin to experience on earth within the daily tasks of life — is beginning something that will never end.”

“And it is precisely for this reason that it is a ‘new’ beginning, because we will live something we have never fully lived before: eternity,” the pope wrote.

Pope Francis kisses a baby during his weekly general audience on May 10, 2023. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

National Catholic Register, Apr 22, 2025 / 12:12 pm (CNA).

Many saw Pope Francis as a grandfatherly figure, especially when he shared bits of practical wisdom on how to get along with one another. Reflecting on the Holy Family’s simple life in Nazareth, on the 2013 feast of the Holy Family, Francis said:

“Let us remember the three key words for living in peace and joy in the family: ‘may I,’ ‘thank you,’ and ‘sorry.’ In our family, when we are not intrusive and ask ‘may I,’ in our family when we are not selfish and learn to say ‘thank you,’ and when in a family one realizes he has done something wrong and knows how to say ‘sorry,’ in that family there is peace and joy. Let us remember these three words.”

This advice became a refrain, as he advised the next year:

“It is normal that there be a quarrel between husband and wife … but please remember this: Never finish the day without making peace! Never, never, never! This is a secret, a secret to protect love and to make peace.”

Across many homilies, audiences, and off-the-cuff reflections throughout his papacy, Pope Francis offered such grandfatherly advice on marriage, family, youth, the elderly, and other aspects of Catholic life — using signature turns of phrase. Here are some highlights of other times he offered folksy advice to the faithful.

Marriage matters

The Holy Father was blunt when speaking to those gathered for a general audience in 2014 — criticizing those who had pets instead of children. 

“The other day, I spoke about the demographic winter that exists nowadays: People do not want to have children, or just one and no more. And many couples do not have children because they do not want to, or they have just one because they do not want any more, but they have two dogs, two cats. ... Yes, dogs and cats take the place of children. Yes, it is funny, I understand, but it is the reality. And this denial of fatherhood or motherhood diminishes us; it takes away our humanity. And in this way civilization becomes more aged and without humanity, because it loses the richness of fatherhood and motherhood. And our homeland suffers, as it does not have children, and, as someone said somewhat humorously, ‘And now that there are no children, who will pay the taxes for my pension? Who will take care of me?’ He laughed, but it is the truth. I ask of St. Joseph the grace to awaken consciences and to think about this: about having children.”

Young and old 

Over the years, Pope Francis attended many youth-focused events — and he encouraged them to excellence. 

“I wrote a speech for you, but prepared speeches are boring,” the pope told youth on his trip to Asunción, Paraguay, in 2015. So he spoke spontaneously. “We don’t want ‘namby-pambies,’ young people who are just there, lukewarm, unable to say either yes or no. We don’t want young people who tire quickly and who are always weary, with bored faces. We want young people who are strong. We want young people full of hope and strength. Why? Because they know Jesus, because they know God. Because they have a heart that is free.”

He was known for his colorful expressions when “telling it like it is.” 

In September 2017, at the Vatican, Francis reminded a group of youth and young adults: “Narcissism produces sadness because you constantly worry about making up your soul every day, to appear better than what you are, pondering whether you are more beautiful than the others. It is the sickness of the mirror. Young people, break the mirror! Do not look in the mirror because the mirror is deceiving. Look outward; look at others; escape from this world, from this culture around us — to which you referred — which is consumeristic and narcissistic. And if one day you would like to look in the mirror, I will give you some advice: Look in the mirror to laugh at yourself. Try it one day: Look and begin to laugh at what you see there; it will refresh your soul. This brings cheerfulness and saves us from the temptation of narcissism.”

Speaking to an audience in May 2022, Francis focused on the elderly and told them they had plenty to offer, much more than money, and reminded them to pick up the Good Book, too. Summarizing the Old Testament Book of Judith, he emphasized: “Judith is not a pensioner who lives her emptiness in melancholy. She is a passionate elderly woman who fills the time God gives her with gifts. Remember: One of these days, take the Bible and look at the Book of Judith: It is very short; it is easy to read. It is 10 pages long, no more. Read this story of a courageous woman who ends up this way, with tenderness, generosity, a worthy woman. And this is how I would like all our grandmothers to be. All like this: courageous, wise, and who bequeath to us not money but the legacy of wisdom, sown in their grandchildren.”

Don’t be ‘pickled peppers’

The pope didn’t hold back when reminding the faithful of the call to witness to Christian joy.

“Sometimes these melancholic Christians’ faces have more in common with pickled peppers than the joy of having a beautiful life,” Pope Francis said in one of his earliest papal homilies, on the reading from Acts 18, in the chapel of St. Martha’s residence in May 2013. “If we keep this joy to ourselves, it will make us sick in the end; our hearts will grow old and wrinkled and our faces will no longer transmit that great joy, only nostalgia and melancholy, which is not healthy.”

“I tell you the truth,” he told the faithful in St. Peter’s Square. “I am convinced that if each one of us would purposely avoid gossip, at the end, we would become a saint! It’s a beautiful path!”

“Do we want to become saints? Yes or no?” he queried, as the crowds replied: “Yes!”

“Yes? Do we want to live attached to gossip as a habit?” Pope Francis continued. “Yes or no? No? OK, so we are in agreement! No gossip!”

This story was first published by the National Catholic Register, CNA's sister news partner, and has been adapted by CNA.

Cardinal William Goh speaks during an interview with EWTN News on April 19, 2024, in Singapore. / Credit: Sean Boyce/EWTN News

Rome Newsroom, Apr 22, 2025 / 11:42 am (CNA).

Cardinal William Goh celebrated a memorial Mass for Pope Francis in Singapore on Tuesday, saying the late Holy Father had a “heart for everyone” and was dedicated to leading the Church toward a “new evangelization” through mercy and love.

After expressing the “real shock” the Church felt following the news of the pope’s death on Easter Monday, Goh said the Archdiocese of Singapore swiftly organized the Tuesday afternoon memorial Mass held in the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.

Speaking to approximately 900 Catholic faithful, state representatives, and diplomatic corps present at the April 22 Mass, Goh said Pope Francis was entrusted with “the work of the new evangelization” and was a “significant example” for Christians throughout his 12-year pontificate.

“He wanted to proclaim Christ to the world but he wanted to do it in a way that the Gospel he proclaims will truly be ‘good news,’” Goh said, reflecting on the late pontiff’s first apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (“The Joy of the Gospel”), written in 2013.

“There is no way for us to proclaim the Gospel unless we have encountered the risen Lord for ourselves, unless we have touched him, unless we have experienced his mercy and love,” he continued. 

Commenting on Pope Francis’ critics who said the late pontiff was “soft on doctrine,” the 67-year-old Asian cardinal elector said the late leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics had a visible ability to reach out to many people through the “method” of living the “way of the Gospel.”  

“When we celebrate or come to pray for Pope Francis in this Mass, we are reminded of Pope Francis’ methodology in reaching out to people,” he said. 

“He was a man with great compassion — especially for those who are poor [or] suffering, those who are marginalized, those who have issues in their marriage [or] even in their identity,” he added. 

While noting the importance of “reason” to explain the Christian faith and to share it with others, Goh said “doctrines and words” are not enough to convince people about Jesus Christ and his Church.

“In fact, most people do not encounter the risen Lord by way of reason because reason can lead you to a certain threshold,” he said. “You have to take the leap of faith.”

Highlighting the Sacred Heart of Jesus as the “foundation” for the Jesuit pope’s spirituality, Goh said this “special devotion” enabled Francis to be close to people and have a “heart for everyone,” regardless if they were Catholic or not.

“He was truly a pastor for the world — a pastor with a heart, with compassion, and with great empathy,” he said toward the end of his homily. “We all love Pope Francis because truly he reveals to us the mercy [and] compassion of God.”

null / Credi: cinemavision/Shutterstock

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Apr 22, 2025 / 11:12 am (CNA).

The start of a papal interregnum brings many terms that may not be familiar to many people, including many Catholics. Here are some of the key words and phrases that will be used throughout the interregnum, especially the conclave to elect the new pope.

Apostolic See or Holy See: The earthly heart of the Church is often referred to as the Apostolic See or Holy See. A see is a seat of authority, from the Latin “sede” for “chair.” Jesus said the Pharisees sat on the chair of Moses. Judges sit on a bench, representing the authority of the state. Professors hold chairs of academic authority. And in the Church bishops possess chairs of spiritual authority, which is why in part their dioceses are called sees. The Roman Diocese has been called the Apostolic See, or Holy See, from ancient times, as it is the seat of authority of the chief apostle Peter, who has Christ’s authority over holy things. The expression applies not only to the pope but also to those in Rome who assist him in governing the universal Church. 

camerlengo: The camerlengo, or chamberlain, of the holy Roman Church has the key role of organizing the process during the vacancy of the Apostolic See, the interregnum. It is the camerlengo, assisted by the master of papal liturgical celebrations and other officials who certify the death of the pope. During the period of vacancy the camerlengo, assisted by the vice camerlengo, gathers reports from the departments of the Curia so that the College of Cardinals can manage the ordinary affairs of the Holy See until a new pope is elected. This is necessary since virtually all department heads lose their offices when a pope dies, except for the camerlengo, the major penitentiary, and the almoner of his holiness.

cardinal: As the root of the name suggests — Latin for “cardo,” or “hinge” — cardinals are among the closest advisers of the pope and have the immense responsibility of electing the bishop of Rome, the pope, in a conclave. The ecclesiastical rank of cardinal was known from about A.D. 315 and the time of Pope Sylvester I. Today these titles, with their reference to ancient responsibilities as being among the clergy of Rome, are said to be “titular,” not actual. The actual offices held by cardinals today are instead within the Roman Curia or as archbishops of dioceses around the world. Cardinals are generally bishops, though the pope may grant an exception, as has been done on several occasions in recent decades. By custom, cardinals are called princes of the Church, with the title of eminence, and enjoy special privileges such as wearing scarlet, a reminder that they are expected also to be witnesses of the faith “usque ad sanguinis effusionem” (“even to the shedding of their blood”). 

cardinal electors: Cardinal electors are those who are eligible to vote in a papal election. All cardinals under the age of 80 on the day on which the Roman See becomes vacant are allowed to participate in the conclave. The exceptions are those who are legitimately prevented by illness or other circumstances, those who have been deposed by the pope, and those from whom the pope has accepted the renunciation of the cardinalate. For most of the history of papal elections there was no age limit on the cardinals to take part in a conclave. However, in 1970 the age requirement of 80 was imposed by Pope Paul VI. He decreed that cardinals turning 80 should cease to be members of the departments of the Roman Curia and of the other institutions and lose the right to elect the pope. If, however, a cardinal completes his 80th year after the Apostolic See becomes vacant, he remains an elector for the conclave. Electors who have been legitimately delayed or who leave for a reason recognized in law may enter, or reenter, the conclave even while it is in progress. Every pope since 1378 has been chosen from among the body of voting cardinals.

College of Cardinals: The collective name given to the body of cardinals, known formally as the Sacred College of Cardinals. This group consists of bishops, and by exception priests, whom a pope has chosen to be his close advisers and collaborators — and to whom he has entrusted the task of electing his successor — are called cardinals. The name derives from the Latin for “hinge” and came into use in the fourth century. The College of Cardinals, or all cardinals collectively, was constituted in its current form in A.D. 1150, although the cardinals have served as the exclusive electors of the pope since 1059. Members belong to one of three ranks, cardinal deacons, cardinal priests, and cardinal bishops.

consistory or congregation: A gathering of cardinals to advise the pope or assist him in his duties. During the vacancy of the Apostolic See there are three kinds of assemblies of the cardinals. General congregations are attended by all the cardinals who are not legitimately impeded, such as by sickness. Particular congregations are composed of the cardinal chamberlain (camerlengo) and three other cardinals. These particular congregations handle the ordinary business of the Roman Church during the interregnum, referring anything significant to the general congregation. Finally, once the cardinal electors gather to elect a pope, their assembly is called a conclave. 

conclave: When the cardinal electors gather to elect a pope their assembly is called a conclave. The name is derived from the Latin for ”cum clavis” (”with a key”), describing the symbolic but historical procedure by which the cardinal electors are locked into the place of election until their task of electing a new pope is finished. The conclave system was formalized in 1274 by Pope Gregory X in the bull Ubi Periculum. It sought to prevent another lengthy interregnum such as the three-year-long ordeal that had preceded his election in 1271. Its procedures are minutely governed today by the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis of Pope John Paul II, as amended by Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, and allows for no innovations on the part of the cardinals. By tradition and law, it is held in the Sistine Chapel, and votes are taken once or twice in a morning session and once or twice in an afternoon session. When the session concludes without an election the ballots are burned, causing black smoke to emanate from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. However, if a pope is elected they are burned with a chemical agent, producing the characteristic white smoke signaling the election of a pope.

dean of the College of Cardinals: The most senior member of the College of Cardinals, elected from among the ranks of the cardinal bishops, and confirmed by the pope. The dean is assisted by the vice dean in convoking the cardinals when the pope dies, as well as presiding over their congregations and over the conclave. He is the one who asks the electee to accept election as pope. The dean always has the titular office of the bishop of Ostia, the diocese located at the mouth of the River Tiber, on whose banks Rome sits. The cardinal dean also holds the title he held at the time of his promotion to dean. If the dean is over the age of 80 and therefore ineligible to participate in the conclave, his duties are performed by the vice dean. If he, too, is over 80, the task of running the conclave falls to the most senior cardinal bishop under the age of 80. In the current conclave, both the dean (Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, age 91) and vice dean (Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, age 81) are ineligible, and so the conclave will be directed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the next eligible most senior cardinal bishop. 

dicastery: A dicastery is a department of the Roman Curia whose mission is to assist the pope in his governance of the Church. Among them are the Secretariat of State, the various one-time congregations, such as the Doctrine of the Faith; the tribunals, such as the Apostolic Signatura; the councils, such as for Promoting Christian Unity; and the offices, such as the Camerlengo (which administers the goods of the Holy See during a vacancy). Major dicasteries are traditionally headed by a cardinal, but Pope Francis has also named a woman religious as a prefect as well. Dicasteries are composed of a body of cardinals and bishops who meet periodically to conduct the more important business, assisted by other officials, consultors, and employees, both clergy and laity. 

Domus Sancta Marthae: Called in the Italian the Casa Santa Marta, or St. Martha’s House, the Vatican guesthouse used to welcome various visitors with business in the Vatican and especially to house the cardinals during the conclave. Prior to the conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, the cardinal electors stayed in cramped quarters quickly prepared in the Apostolic Palace near the Sistine Chapel. With the increase in the number of electors in recent decades, this arrangement proved inadequate. Pope John Paul II ordered the construction of the Domus Sancta Marthae, named for the holy woman of Bethany, St. Martha, who busied herself with hospitality for the Lord. In 2005 and 2013, the Domus housed both the nonvoting cardinals before the election and the voting cardinals (those under 80 years of age) once the election began. It also served as the residence of Pope Francis from the time of his election in 2013.

electing a pope: The manner of choosing a pope is not of divine institution. Papal authority is supreme in the Church, so whatever procedure a pope establishes for the election of his successor is lawful, valid, and obligatory until another pope changes it. Christ personally chose Peter, and it is believed that Peter himself designated his successor as Linus. How other of the early popes were elected, by vote or designation, is not known with certainty. However, from the fourth century we see the evolution of procedures culminating in the 11th and 12th centuries in the current system of cardinal electors. The current conclave system of electing a pope was introduced in 1274 by Pope Gregory X. This system has itself been reformed by many popes, including John Paul II, and on some points by Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. 

interregnum: The period between the reigns of popes, formally called the vacancy of the Apostolic See, or “sede vacante.” A vacancy may come about due to the death of a reigning pope or to his resignation from office. If a pope has died the cardinals gather in Rome to mourn him and to plan and carry out his funeral and burial. In both the case of death and resignation, they will meet in conclave to elect his successor. During a vacancy, except for certain offices necessary for day-to-day affairs, all department heads in the Roman Curia lose their authority, and the power of the cardinals is limited to those matters concerned with guarding the authority and patrimony of the Holy See for the next pope. 

major penitentiary: The major penitentiary is one of the curial officials who do not lose their offices with the vacancy of the Holy See. The others are the camerlengo or chamberlain of the holy Roman Church and the almoner of his holiness. The major penitentiary is responsible for indulgences, the provision of confessors for the patriarchal basilicas in Rome, and judging questions of conscience (called the internal forum) submitted for adjudication to the Holy See. These include dispensations and absolution from sanctions, such as excommunication, which are reserved in law to the Holy See. The authority of the major penitentiary, therefore, continues during the interregnum.

Novendiales: Following the death of the pope nine days of official mourning are held, called the Novendiales, meaning nine days. The nine days of official mourning, commencing with the day of the solemn funeral Mass, are called the Novendiales. This funeral Mass, and Day 1 of the Novendiales, must fall between the fourth and sixth day after death, that is, on the fifth, sixth, or seventh day of the interregnum, as determined by the College of Cardinals. The mourning period then continues until the nine days are completed. Typically, a Mass is celebrated by a cardinal and might involve officials and staff from different Vatican offices, such as the Vatican City State, the Roman Curia, members of Consecrated Life, and the Eastern Churches. 

papal primacy: Papal primacy refers to the supreme, immediate, and ordinary authority of the pope over everyone in the whole Church. Definitively and precisely stated only at the First Vatican Council in 1870, this primacy of jurisdiction has been exercised by St. Peter and the bishops of Rome from the beginning of the Church. This can be seen in the norms announced by the apostle at the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15, in the letter of Peter’s successor, Clement, to Corinth from about A.D. 85, and many other examples from the Fathers of the Church in which the bishop of Rome is acknowledged as the final court, and the point of unity, for all the local Churches in the universal Church. 

papal titles: The election of a pope is first and foremost the election of the successor to St. Peter as the bishop of Rome. From this office derives all the other offices and titles he will hold. For example, the Roman bishop is the archbishop and metropolitan of the Roman province, the primate or first bishop of Italy, the vicar of Jesus Christ, the supreme pontiff, and pastor of the universal Church. He is the “servant of the servants of God,” a title coined about A.D. 600 by Pope Gregory I the Great. As spiritual father to all Christians he is called “pope” (“papa”), “holy father,” and “your holiness” ― not because he is holy but because the things of Christ, which he administers, are holy. All of these offices belong to the man elected the bishop of Rome.

pope: The title “pope“ means “father.” In ancient Greek it was a child’s term of affection (papa) but was borrowed by Latin as a title of honor. Both Greek-speaking Eastern Christians and Latin-speaking Western Christians applied the term broadly to priests, bishops, and patriarchs in the early Church. Even today, the faithful of the Orthodox Churches may call their parish priest pope. Gradually, however, Latin usage became more restrictive. At the beginning of the third century, papa was a term of respect for churchmen in high positions; by the fifth century, it was applied particularly to the bishop of Rome; and since the eighth century, as far the West is concerned, the title has been exclusively a reference to the pope in Rome.

proto-deacon: The name used for the most senior cardinal deacon who makes the announcement to the waiting world that the election has taken place and proclaims the name of the new pope by exclaiming “Habemus papam!” (“We have a pope!”). The proto-deacon is the longest serving of the cardinals who hold the rank within the College of Cardinals of cardinal deacon (the other ranks being cardinal priests and cardinal bishops) based on the date of his appointment to the college and by the order of announcement on the “biglietto” or papal decree. The current proto-deacon is Cardinal Dominique Mamberti. 

Roman Curia: Curia is a Latin term for a ruling body and its place of assembly. In ancient Rome the senate met in the Curia, which can still be seen among the ruins of the Roman Forum. Within the Church the term is used for those who assist a bishop in the governance of his diocese. With respect to the bishop of Rome, it applies to the members of the various Roman dicasteries, such as the Doctrine of the Faith, Saints, Tribunals, Councils, Offices, Commissions, and Committees who assist the pope in his governing of the Church. The current authority, structure, responsibilities, and operation of the Curia were established by Pope Francis in 2022 with the apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium.

Sistine Chapel: When the cardinal electors, those under 80 years of age, gather twice daily to deliberate and vote for the next pope, they will do so in the Sistine Chapel of the Apostolic Palace. Built for Pope Sixtus IV (1471-1484), after whom it is named, this chapel was made famous by Pope Julius II (1503-1513), who in 1508 commissioned Michelangelo to decorate its vault, a task he completed in 1512. Later, Michelangelo painted the “Last Judgment” on the altar wall for Pope Paul III (1534-1549). It is before this imposing painting that the cardinal electors will cast their votes for the next pope. The first conclave to be held in the Sistine Chapel was in 1492 and the election of Pope Alexander VI, and the last not to be held there was in 1846 and the election of Pope Pius IX when it was held in the Quirinal Palace in Rome. In the decree governing the conclave, Pope John Paul II’s 1996 apostolic constitution Universi Dominic Gregis, the cardinals are mandated to hold the election in the Sistine Chapel, “where everything is conducive to an awareness of the presence of God, in whose sight each person will one day be judged” (Universi Dominic Gregis, Introduction).

supreme pontiff: “Pontiff” is taken from the Latin “pontifex” or “bridge-builder.” This title was given in ancient Rome to priests, seen as the mediators between the gods and men. In Christian teaching, Christ is the one mediator reconciling God and man. He alone is necessary. However, he utilizes human beings in offices of secondary mediation in order to effect his plan of salvation through his mystical body the Church. Applied to the bishop of Rome, “pontiff,” therefore, points to the high priesthood of Jesus Christ, which the pope exercises as a bishop. As pope, he is said to be the supreme pontiff, because he is pastor not only of his own diocese but also of the universal Church. 

Vatican City State: Vatican City State is the world’s smallest sovereign state, with its own diplomatic corps, passport, laws, police, stamps, and head of state, the pope. A 1929 concordat with Italy established the state, restoring the political autonomy the papacy had enjoyed for centuries in the Papal States. These states in central Italy protected the Church from subjection to kings and princes but were lost when the forces of Italian unification — the “Risorgimento” — entered Rome in 1870. The Vatican Concordat settled the issue of the pope’s temporal authority, securing for him sovereignty over the Vatican and certain other properties in Italy. Even during World War II, when Hitler contemplated invading the Vatican and capturing the pope, it provided a diplomatically secure place from which the Church could act independently.

vicar of Christ: The title “vicar of Christ” is closely associated with Our Lord’s titles “son of David” and “king of Israel.” It was foretold to David that a descendant would reign on David’s throne forever. This king is Jesus Christ, who reigns in an eternal spiritual kingdom, as opposed to the earthly kingdom that many expected the messiah to take up. Every king has a prime minister, a vizier or vicar, to implement his will and speak in his name. Although the kingdom of God has no material treasures to guard and dispense, it has spiritual treasures: the faith, the sacraments, the unity of the Church. This spiritual treasure is what was committed to Peter under the symbol of the keys and is passed to those who succeed him in his office as the vicar of Christ.

Attendees at the National Catholic Educational Association 2024 Convention in Pittsburgh. / Credit: Photo courtesy of NCEA

CNA Staff, Apr 22, 2025 / 10:42 am (CNA).

This month in Florida, a national Catholic education group is bringing together teachers and school administrators for one of the largest private education gatherings in the nation.

More than 3,200 are set to attend the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) 2025 Convention at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando this week, April 22–24. A major focus at the conference is developing a faith-based response to artificial intelligence in education.

The event will continue as scheduled following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday as the Church mourns and prays for the late Holy Father.

“As we pray for his eternal rest, we also pray in this Jubilee of Hope that Catholic school educators will embrace Pope Francis’ call to be pilgrims of hope, bringing Christ’s joy and peace to the world,” the association president and CEO, Steven Cheeseman, said on Monday.  

Cheeseman said the pope’s witness of humility and joy inspires Catholic educators.

“For the last 12 years, Pope Francis faithfully shepherded the Church with his signature joy and humility — two virtues that every Catholic school educator is called to emulate in their vocation,” Cheesman said.

“His unwavering focus on the Lord’s mercy and our responsibility to care for the most vulnerable among us are hallmarks of this inspiring servant leader,” he continued.

The convention will feature breakout sessions for professional learning as well as Mass, Eucharistic adoration, and time for fellowship.

Cheeseman shared his hope that the event will “engage, empower, and inspire everyone who serves in Catholic education.”

Featured breakout session topics include promoting student success, addressing mental health, and integrating students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Various sessions also highlight developing a Catholic culture, addressing teacher burnout, and even a workshop on transitioning to a classical curriculum — a growing trend in Catholic education. 

Given the growing prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI), conference speakers will highlight how to build faith-based policies around artificial intelligence.

NCEA spokesperson BeeJae Visitacion said the conference will address AI from a faith-based perspective to help Catholic school educators “to lead with both innovation and integrity.”

AI is “transforming the field of education,” said Visitacion, who is the director of communications for the association.

But what’s the Catholic response?

Keynotes and breakout sessions on AI will address “its ethical considerations in a faith-based context,” Visitacion said. 

The conference will examine “how AI tools can be integrated to support — not replace — the vocation of education,” Visitacion added. 

Author and educator Dan Fitzpatrick and Holy Cross priest and educator Father Nate Wills will both give keynote addresses on AI on April 22 and April 24, respectively. 

“These conversations will ensure that participants walk away with a clear, mission-centered framework for navigating this fast-moving field,” Visitacion said.

As school choice programs throughout the country are increasing access to private education, the convention will address the impact of school choice. 

Breakout sessions will help leaders develop their response to the growth of school choice, which, as Visitacion said, “has profoundly impacted Catholic schools.” 

“Dedicated sessions will explore how school choice is shaping enrollment trends, funding models, and family engagement,” Visitacion said.

“Experts from dioceses with robust school choice programs will share insights, best practices, and real-world data on how these policies are helping Catholic schools grow and thrive.”

The convention is “one of the largest private-education association gatherings in the nation,” according to the association’s webpage.

Cheeseman shared his excitement to welcome attendees to the conference “for this national expression of hope and purpose as we carry out our shared mission to form students in faith, knowledge, and service.” 

The upcoming event, he told CNA, “is more than our annual convention.” 

“It’s a celebration of the mission and ministry of Catholic schools,” Cheeseman said.

Future NCEA conventions are set for April 7–9, 2026, in Minneapolis and March 30–April 1, 2027, in Indianapolis. For more information visit here.