Welcome to the Vatican News blog, where we bring you the latest updates from the heart of the Catholic Church. In a touching moment in Saint Peter’s Square, the Rosary was offered on Tuesday evening in memory of Pope Francis, who returned to the House of the Father on Easter Monday. The Dean of the College of Cardinals led the Marian prayer, honoring Francis as a pilgrim of hope. The atmosphere was filled with reverence as hundreds of faithful gathered in the square.
“Hearing the words echo in our hearts, ‘Do not forget to pray for me,’ which we heard so many times from Pope Francis, we want to pray for him this evening,” Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, expressed at the beginning of the Rosary. The 91-year-old Cardinal, who will preside over the funeral Mass for the Pope, spoke of death as a passage to the heavenly Jerusalem, where mourning turns into joy in God’s love.
On this Easter day, many faithful gathered under Bernini’s colonnade to pray for Pope Francis, just as they did during his recent hospitalization. The Cardinal reminded everyone to thank the Lord for the gifts bestowed through the apostolic ministry of Pope Francis, who was a beacon of hope and love for all.
Surrounded by believers worldwide, the Cardinal led the faithful in contemplation of the mysteries of Christ, entrusting the late Pope to the Merciful Father and the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church. The evening ended with the singing of the “Salve Regina” and applause as Cardinal Re imparted his blessing.
Join us in honoring the memory of Pope Francis, a man of great love and compassion, who touched the lives of many with his kindness and mercy. Stay tuned for more updates and news from the Vatican as we continue to follow the teachings and legacy of Pope Francis.
