Pope Francis’ solemn funeral Mass will be broadcast and livestreamed by multiple media outlets April 26, providing several ways people can watch and participate in the funeral from around the world.
Pope Francis
The bells of the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady Guadalupe rang for several minutes April 21, setting a solemn tone Easter Monday as Bishop Edward J. Burns celebrated a noon Mass for the Intentions of the Holy Father following the passing of Pope Francis earlier that morning.
Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, the University of Dallas’ Dr. Susan Hanssen, a history professor on UD’s Irving and Rome campuses, and Dr. Ron Rombs, a theology professor and dean and director of UD’s Rome campus, offered guidance on what Catholics can expect during the current “interregnum,” the period between Pope Francis’ pontificate and the election of the next pontiff of the Catholic Church.
Here is an explanation of some of the terms and practices related to the time between the death of Pope Francis April 21 and the election of his successor.
The funeral Mass of Pope Francis will be celebrated April 26 in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican announced.
With the death of Pope Francis, the April 27 canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis was postponed and the Mass scheduled for that day will be a memorial Mass, the Vatican said.
Pope Francis personally thanked the health care workers and medical staff who cared for him in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for 38 days while he recovered from respiratory infections.
The Vatican inaugurated a nursery school for children of Vatican employees April 14.
The Gospel contains a great message of hope, “because it tells us that wherever we are lost and however we are lost, God always comes looking for us!” said the text for Pope Francis’ weekly general audience.
Pope Francis is going without supplemental oxygen for longer periods and is continuing therapy to recover his voice and to recover his physical strength, the Vatican press office said, but he also is increasing the number of private meetings he is holding with the heads of Vatican offices.