Following an ancient tradition, the Catholic Church will observe nine consecutive days of mourning, marked by Masses held in suffrage for the late Pope Francis.
The nine days of mourning expected to commence on Saturday, April 26– funeral of late Pope Francis– will end on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
To this end, only Cardinals will be allowed to concelebrate the Masses dedicated to the Papal Chapel on April 30 and May 4.
A statement from Vatican Press Office on Wednesday revealed that the funeral Mass will mark the beginning of an ancient tradition of holding nine consecutive days of mourning, which will be marked by Eucharistic celebrations.
While the Eucharistic celebrations are open to everyone, each day a different group is scheduled to participate—based on their connection with the Holy Father.
This diversity of groups reflects both “the scope of the Supreme Pastor’s ministry and the universality of the Church of Rome” (cf. Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, nos. 124–125).
The Cardinals present in Rome set the schedule for which of them will celebrate each Mass during their second General Congregation, held on Wednesday evening.
Novemdiales
First day of the Novemdiales will be marked by Pope Francis’ funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square at 10:00 am.
Novemdiales is a Latin word that refers to the liturgical and procedural period following the death of a Pope.
In the following days, celebrants for the Novemdiales Masses will be as follows (all times are local time in Rome - GMT +2):
- Second Day: Sunday, April 27, at 10:30am in St. Peter’s Square. The Mass will be presided by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the group will be the employees and faithful of Vatican City.
- Third Day: Monday, April 28, at 5:00 pm in St. Peter’s Basilica. Mass will be presided by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome, and the group will be the Church of Rome.
- Fourth Day: Tuesday, April 29, at 5:00 pm in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Chapters of the Papal Basilicas will be the group at the Mass presided by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican.
- Fifth Day: Wednesday, April 30, at 5:00 pm in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside Mass, with the group being the Papal Chapel.
- Sixth Day: Thursday, May 1, at 5:00 pm in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside the Mass, with the group being the Roman Curia.
- Seventh Day: Friday, May 2, at 5:00 pm in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Mass will be presided by Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, with the group being the Eastern Churches.
- Eighth Day: Saturday, May 3, at 5:00 pm in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Pro-Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, will preside the Mass, with members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
- Ninth Day: Sunday, May 4, at 5:00 pm in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Protodeacon of the College of Cardinals, will preside the Mass with the Papal Chapel group.
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