Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.
Dear Fathers, Deacons, Brothers, Sisters, and all faithful members of the Diocese of Gallup,
By now you have likely heard the news of the passing of our Holy Father Pope Francis. We join the Church Universal in mourning the death of the Vicar of Christ and pray for his eternal repose in the peace of the Risen Lord. While death is always a loss, the fact that our Holy Father went to the meet the Lord in the Octave of Easter brings with it great hope: that the power and glory of the Resurrection may once again triumph over death, and that Pope Francis may be received into the joy of the Father’s House.
At this important moment in the life of the Church, I first want to ask you all to pray for the repose of the Pope. Traditionally, the Church has nine days of mourning when a Pope dies. These are known as the novendiales, and they begin today. For these nine days, I encourage the priests of the diocese to offer “Masses for the Dead: For a Pope” as found in the Roman Missal, wearing the color red as is appropriate for such Masses offered for a Pope. During the vacancy of the Holy See, the name of the Pope is omitted at its usual place in the Eucharistic Prayer, though the naming of the deceased Pope may be done during the intercession for the dead in the Eucharistic Prayers throughout the novendiales.
I also encourage all to offer the Most Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet for the same intention. Additionally, churches and schools may place, in an appropriate place, a picture of Pope Francis with a burning candle to encourage prayers from the faithful.
When the novendiales have come to an end, the Church will then prepare for the election of a new Pope. Once again, the Roman Missal provides “Mass for the Election of a Pope,” which in our diocese may be celebrated on any day except Sundays and Solemnities in the coming Easter season. The faithful are again encouraged to offer their private prayers, works, and almsgiving for the election of a new Supreme Pontiff, as well as for the Cardinal Electors as they fulfill their duty.
Finally, when a new Pope has been elected and, in the days, thereafter, Masses “For a Pope” may be offered on all days except Sundays and solemnities. It would also be appropriate for parishes to have a chanting or recitation of the Te Deum in thanksgiving on the day of the election.
These short instructions are meant to help us as the Church mourns the loss of Pope Francis, and as we begin a new chapter in the life of the Church. I pray that we all experience the unity of the Church in the coming days of mourning and anticipation. As we are still at the beginning of Eastertide, let us remember above all that “death and life contended in a stupendous struggle, but the Lord now lives forever (cf. Easter Sequence). He fills us with the certainty that we too are called to share in the life that knows no end, when the clash of arms and the rumble of death will be heard no more. Let us entrust ourselves to him, for he alone can make all things new (cf. Rev. 21:5)!” (Pope Francis, Urbi et Orbi address for Easter 2025). May Pope Francis now know that life that knows no end!
May the soul of Pope Francis, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace!
Sincerely in the Lord,
James Seán Wall
Bishop of Gallup