Let Us Pray – “for One Another”
Pope Francis
Dec. 17, 1936- April 21, 2025Pope Francis’ first public address immediately after he was presented as the Holy Father, Bishop of Rome, and Successor of Peter on March 13, 2013, is a fitting reminder of where our priorities should be during these days of mourning the pontiff and always, “Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world that there might be a great sense of brotherhood….”
Before countless faithful present and those watching worldwide he went on to ask for prayers from the faithful, “pray to the Lord to bless me… pray for me and I will be with you again soon. We will see one another soon”
In his official testament filed by the Holy see on June 29, 2022, as is custom for the pope in later years, Pope Francis requested to be buried within the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major for “I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary…. I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.”
He concluded with a sincere prayer:
“May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.” – Francis.
Mourning Our Loss and Praying with Hope
Bishop Mark Brennan made it a priority upon the news of the Holy Father’s passing to offer a Memorial Mass for Pope Francis. At 6pm on April 21st, just hours after news of the pontiff’s death, Bishop was joined by two deacons, nine priests, and more than 80 faithful from around the Ohio Valley in thanksgiving for Pope Francis’ life and pontificate.
“Our pope preached a living Christ – not a dead historical figure – a Christ the power of whose resurrection infuses in us a new life that enables us to love God with heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves,” Bishop Mark said. “Pope Francis not only preached the Risen Christ – (but he also) taught us by example to stand up for the truth when it is denied and to stand with men and women who are marginalized and oppressed, migrants, children, both born and unborn,” Bishop Mark said.
“Francis spoke the truth and lived it,” he said. “As you know Pope Francis designated this Jubilee Year as a Year of Hope. Our hope now is that the Lord that inspired the lifelong service of (Pope Francis) will welcome Him with a broad smile…. On the last day of his life, (Pope Francis) was clearly suffering, but he must have prayed for strength to appear before the people one last time. He received that strength. Then (at the hour of the pontiff’s passing) God said, ‘Jorge, Francis, my Vicar, your work is done. Come home to me.’”
“God will provide a new pope for us,” Bishop Brennan said. “We will pray for the college of cardinals to seek a good man to be a visible head of the Church. The Church’s life and mission will go on.”
Pray Through the 9 Days of Mourning
And for The Election of A New Pope
The Church around the world continues the Novendiales (nine days of mourning and Masses to be offered for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul) as is customary since ancient Christian and Roman time. Faithful in all nations are to continue personal prayer through May 4th making time to pray a reverent Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
Also, during this time and until a new pope is elected by the Conclave (as many as 120 cardinals in the college of electors) the same simple prayers – Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be – should be said to call upon the Holy Spirit to light the way for a great Successor of Peter for the intention of the Holy Spirit encouraged.
According, the procedures for the Conclave – the Universi Dominici Gregis –“Normally, after the death of the Pontiff, the cardinal electors must wait fifteen days for those who are absent. But once twenty days has elapsed, they should proceed with the conclave (39)…. “No sooner than fifteen to twenty days after the pope’s death, the electors assemble in the morning at St. Peter’s Basilica. They participate in the votive Mass Pro Eligendo Papa (“For the Election of a Pope”).
“In the afternoon, they assemble in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace. Attired in choir dress, they will invoke the assistance of the Holy Spirit with the chant Veni Creator and will solemnly process to the Sistine Chapel of the Apostolic Palace where the election will be held (50). The vote will take place exclusively in the Sistine Chapel.
“Two-thirds of the votes are required to be elected (80 of 120 if all potential electors are present). If the number does not divide evenly into thirds, a valid election will require two-thirds plus one (UDG 62).”
Watch for the Famous White Smoke
“While the conclave is in session, the entire Church will be praying for the electors and for the prospective pope. When the ballots are burned, oil is added to the fire so that the smoke that escapes from the chimney is dark. On the final, successful ballot, nothing is added to the fire so that the smoke is white. The crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square will cheer and the billions watching on televisions around the world will know that a new pope has been elected.
“When the vote is decisive, the junior cardinal deacon summons the secretary of the College of Cardinals and the master of papal liturgical celebrations into the Sistine Chapel.”
“The senior cardinal deacon announces to the waiting people that the election has taken place and that the Church has a new pope [“Habemus papam”]. He proclaims the name of the new pontiff. The new pope immediately imparts the apostolic blessing, urbi et orbi (to the city and world) from the balcony of the Vatican basilica.”
After the election of a new pope Bishop Mark Brennan like other bishops around the world will likely announce and celebrate a special Mass with the diocesan faithful for the Pontiff.For Bishop Mark and Fr. Higgs photos please note: Vatican Media Photo
For Fr. Higgs cutline:
Pope Francis greets Fr. Don Higgs, V.F, rector of the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Charleston. The photo captures the moment when Fr. Don told the Pontiff, “My school students (Charleston Catholic High School and Sacred Heart Grade School) send their love and prayers.” Pope Francis smiled and gave me him his famous thumbs up.