# POPE FRANCIS REPOSES IN THE LORD

- Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2025/04/9739/
- Published: 2025-04-22T16:58:57-07:00
- Author: Website

![](https://abbotsford.nweparchy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1000040562.png)

ETERNAL MEMORY!

CHRIST IS RISEN!

We received the news that **[Pope Francis died](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-dies-on-easter-monday-aged-88.html)**
almost an hour and a half after sunrise of “Bright Monday” 21 April 2025. Although
he was struggling in his recovery from pneumonia for which we was recently hospitalized,
his death still came as somewhat of a surprise as the reports of his recovery were
positive.

The immediate response to the announcement of his death were calls to prayer in 
our parishes. As Easter Monday is an important liturgical day, all clergy celebrated
a Divine Liturgy at which they shared the news the late Pontiff’s death and led 
the faithful in some appropriate prayer. A prayer which was conducted in a joyful
and hopeful spirit as the Church continues to celebrate the life-promising resurrection
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The present plans are that the funeral for Pope Francis will take place in the Vatican
according to the funeral rites for a Roman Pontiff that were recently simplified
by Pope Francis himself. This will occur on Saturday 16th of April 2025. Then his
casket will be entombed at the great Marian **[Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore](https://vatican.com/Santa-Maria-Maggiore/)**
according to Pope Francis’ request. He will be the eighth Pope to be buried in that
one of four “major basilicas” famous for its relics of the crib of the infant Christ.“
Maria Maggiore” has seen the pilgrim traffic increase exponentially this year as
it hold one of the Holy Doors that thousands want to pass through during this **
[Jubilee Year of Hope](https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en.html)**** (****[Ювілейний Рік УГКЦ](https://ugcc.ua/iubilaeum2025/)****)**.
Now with Pope Francis interred there, the number of pilgrims will be unimaginable
as many will want to visit to pray at his tomb.

Pope Francis in his dozen years has left his mark on the Church. This includes the
shift in spirituality, moral outlook and attitudes toward the poor. Church leadership
has also been influenced one way or another by Pope Francis. Twenty-two of the bishops
of the Ukrainian Catholic Church – approximately 38% of the Synod - were either 
approved or appointed by Pope Francis. The Bishop of our **[Eparchy of New Westminster](https://abbotsford.nweparchy.ca/)**,
Bishop **[Michael Kwiatkowski](https://www.archeparchy.ca/news_details.php?news_id=1300)**,
was also appointed by Pope Francis on **[24 August 2023](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/08/24/230824b.html)**.
By some estimations, some 80% of the Cardinals that will choose Pope Francis’ successor
to the Chair of Peter, were “created” by Pope Francis in the **10 ****[Consistories](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_consistory)**
that he convened over his 12-year Pontificate. Among the Cardinals is the Ukrainian
Bishop of Australia – His Eminence **[Mykola Bychok](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mykola_Bychok)**(**
[Миколай Бичок](https://synod.ugcc.ua/data/vladyka-mykolay-bychok-3324/)**). He 
will participate in the upcoming **[Conclave](https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/conclave)**
that will choose the Church’s next Pope.

The **[Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops](https://www.cccb.ca/media-release/statement-by-the-most-rev-william-t-mcgrattan-bishop-of-calgary-and-president-of-the-canadian-conference-of-catholic-bishops-on-the-passing-of-pope-francis/)**
issued a statement that highlights some of the ways that Pope Francis has touched
the life of the Canada. They also sent out prayer cards and other prayers for the
repose of the soul of Pope Francis. This is a version of the prayer from the card…..

**Prayer upon the Death of Pope Francis**

O God, faithful rewarder of souls, grant that your departed servant Pope Francis,
whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of your Church, may happily enjoy 
for ever in your presence in heaven the mysteries of your grace and compassion, 
which he faithfully ministered on earth.

For You, O Christ our God, are the resurrection, the life and the repose of Your
servant **Pope Francis**, who has fallen asleep; and we give glory to You, together
with Your eternal Father, and Your most holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and
for ever and ever. Amen.

In blessed sleep grant eternal rest, O Lord, to Your ever-to-be-remembered servant
Pope Francis, and make his memory everlasting. Christ is Risen!

**Christ is risen from the dead…..   **

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