The Friars join the parishioners of Sacred Heart in mourning the death of Pope Francis, whose leadership of our Church was well and truly influenced by the father of the Franciscan Order, St. Francis of Assisi, and the guiding values of service to the poor and marginalized, affirmation of the unique worth of each person, and the reverence for all creation.
Despite the scheduled Easter Monday (April 21, 2025) closure of the parish, the Friars invited all able to join them for a Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis at 12:10 p.m. in the church. Nearly 150 attended, what would have been the first opportunity for many Catholics in our area to pray for Pope Francis following his passing.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon him,
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
Funeral Mass Coverage | In collaboration with EWTN, Spirit FM 90.5 will simulcast the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis live from St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 4 a.m. Eastern (10 a.m. Rome time). Join in prayerful remembrance as we come together as one Church to honor the life and legacy of the Holy Father, and pray for the repose of his soul. Click here to watch or listen.
What Happens Now? | The Cardinals present in Rome have set the start date for the upcoming Conclave for Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The date was set on Monday, April 28, 2025, by the approximately 180 cardinals present (just over a hundred of whom are electors) gathered for the fifth General Congregation in the Vatican. The conclave will take place in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, which will remain closed to visitors during those days, with all active Cardinals under the age of 80 eligible to vote. Learn more about the papal election process via Vatican News here.
The Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe extend global condolences for Pope Francis. Below is the statement from Br. Lawrence J. Hayes, OFM, Provincial Minister for the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who shares his words and a memorable quote from Pope Francis:
Statement from Br. Hayes, Provincial Minister
With the news spreading across the world regarding Pope Francis’ passing, the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe react with words of comfort and peace, recognizing Pope Francis’ impact and legacy. The Order of Friars Minor recently posted, “Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Supreme Pontiff on the 13th March, 2013, taking the name of Francis, the first in history. In fact, he is a pope very close to St. Francis of Assisi, to the Franciscan charism and to the Franciscan friars.”
Br. Lawrence J. Hayes, OFM, Provincial Minister for the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, shares his words and a memorable quote from Pope Francis:
With Catholics, Christians and people of good will world-wide, we join in offering prayers of gratitude for the life and witness of Pope Francis— icon of the compassion of God, defender of migrants and the poor, champion of ecological responsibility, reformer who sought to transform the Church into a “field hospital” at the service of the vulnerable at the peripheries, and friend of Christ who longed to “wake up the world” with hope and joy. In faith, we commend Pope Francis to God’s loving embrace. Through the power of the resurrection, may he now enjoy fullness of life with God in the communion of saints. Abide in life, good and faithful servant!
“Let us welcome Jesus, the God of life, into our lives, and today once again say ‘yes’ to Him. Then no stone will block the way to our hearts, no tomb will suppress the joy of life, no failure will doom us to despair. Let us lift our eyes to Him and ask that the power of His resurrection may roll away the heavy stones that weigh down our souls. Let us lift our eyes to Him, the Risen Lord, and press forward in the certainty that, against the obscure backdrop of our failed hopes and our deaths, the eternal life that He came to bring is even now present in our midst.” — Pope Francis
The Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg opened today on Monday, April 21, 2025, for the faithful to gather to pray for the eternal rest of Pope Francis. A Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis was celebrated there as well, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Below is a statement from Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg:
Statement from Most Rev. Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop
Today we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the Father in heaven.
During his 12-year pontificate he taught us through word and example to share the joy of the Gospel, to go to the peripheries of society and the world to care for the poor and marginalized, and he taught us of the need to care for the environment.
And most recently, he emphasized the need to be a synodal church which reaches out and values the contributions of many. In recent days and weeks, he endured his own personal suffering with patience, and never lost his desire to be present to the flock he was called to shepherd. May he Rest in Peace. Amen.
