Pope Francis’ Memorial Mass

The pews of National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in downtown Dallas were full Monday night for a memorial Mass that honored the late Pope Francis a week after his death.

The pontiff died April 21 after suffering a stroke at the Domus Santa Marta hotel where he lived at the Vatican, according to church officials. His death occurred after his release from an extended hospital stay.

The Funeral and Mourning Period

World leaders and Catholic faithful bade farewell to Francis, history’s first Latin American pope, during a funeral last Saturday.

Pope Francis’ funeral on April 26 began the nine-day mourning period observed in the Catholic Church after the loss of a pope. A conclave to elect the next pope will begin on May 7.

The Memorial Mass

After a multilingual rosary, Mass at Cathedral Guadalupe began with a moment of silence for the rest of Pope Francis’ soul.

Then mourners in the room stood as Diocese of Dallas Bishop Edward J. Burns and a group that included priests and deacons from across the diocese processed down the aisle.

Burns led the room in a prayer for the late pope. “God, faithful rewarder of souls, grant that your departed servant Pope Francis, whom you have made successor of Peter and shepherd of your church, may happily enjoy forever in your presence in heaven.”

Readings and Reflections

The Mass’ first Bible reading, from Acts 10:34-43, was read in Spanish. Other readings in multiple languages came from Romans 12:9-16 and Matthew 25:31-46, and appeared in the program in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese.

“Today, we gather in a sacred remembrance of a man who has left an indelible mark, not only on the Catholic Church, but on the conscience of the world,” Burns said during the Mass’ homily.

“He chose to be called simply ‘Francis,’ a name that signaled his mission to rebuild the church; to live the gospel with simplicity and to draw near to the poor, the forgotten and the marginalized,” Burns said. “Pope Francis called us to the margins — not just of society, but even of our own hearts.”

Prayers for the New Pope

“We also pray for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon those who will be responsible for electing the new pope,” Burns said as the Mass ended.

Remembering Pope Francis

After Mass Monday, attendees gathered to pay their respects in front of a portrait of Pope Francis wrapped in black bunting.

“He was some sort of balance in the church — kind of like a grounding person,” María Palomo, who has attended Cathedral Guadalupe for about 35 years, said after the service. “Just praying that our next pope will bring that to the table as well.”

Kay and Charles Knox brought their three kids, ages 9 months, 6 and 3, to the evening service. Kay Knox said she grew up Catholic but left the church for about 20 years. “He brought me back,” she said of Francis.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Adrian Ashford covers faith and religion in North Texas for The Dallas Morning News through a partnership with Report for America.

Conclusion

Pope Francis’ death has left a void in the Catholic Church and the world. His legacy of simplicity, compassion, and service to the poor and marginalized will be remembered for generations to come. As the church prepares to elect a new pope, the faithful are praying for guidance and wisdom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the cause of Pope Francis’ death?

A: Pope Francis died after suffering a stroke at the Domus Santa Marta hotel where he lived at the Vatican.

Q: When will the conclave to elect the new pope begin?

A: The conclave to elect the next pope will begin on May 7.

Q: How long is the mourning period for a pope in the Catholic Church?

A: The mourning period for a pope in the Catholic Church is nine days.

Q: What was the significance of Pope Francis’ name?

A: Pope Francis’ name signaled his mission to rebuild the church, live the gospel with simplicity, and draw near to the poor, the forgotten, and the marginalized.