Pope Francis
December 17, 1936 - April 21, 2025
The 265th Successor to Peter
events and resources to honor his life
pope francis funeral in rome
Saturday, April 26 at 3 a.m. (CDT)
Watch the livestream of the funeral events of Pope Francis as they happen by clicking the link below.
diocesan memorial mass for pope francis
Monday, April 28, 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral
Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville will celebrate a Memorial Mass for Pope Francis at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28, at the Cathedral of the Incarnation. All of the faithful of the diocese are invited to attend.
More than a dozen diocesan priests will concelebrate the Mass. In addition, several diocesan deacons, Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation, and Knights of Columbus will be in attendance.
Please join Bishop Spalding and the diocesan faithful at 5:30 p.m. on April 28 at the Cathedral as we unite in prayer for the deceased pontiff.
novena in memory of pope francis
This novena has been prepared to help pray for the Pope during this time. The daily novena—lasting for the novendiales period from April 26 to May 4, 2025—consists of a short reading from Scripture or some other ecclesiastical text and some brief prayers, including orations drawn from the Roman Missal and the Order of Christian Funerals.
At St. Henry, members of the Legion of Mary will lead a rosary and this novena in the chapel after the following Mass times:
Saturday, April 26 after 8 a.m. Mass
Sunday, April 27 after 7:30 a.m. Mass
Monday, April 28 after 11 a.m. Mass
Tuesday, April 29 after 8 a.m. Mass
Wednesday, April 30 after 8 a.m. Mass
Thursday, May 1 after 8 a.m. Mass
Friday, May 2 after 8 a.m. Mass
Saturday, May 3 after 8 a.m. Mass
Sunday, May 4 after 7:30 a.m. Mass
To participate in the Novena for Pope Francis, you can find text for each day by clicking on the button below:
Statement from Bishop J. Mark Spalding
I am deeply saddened by the passing of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, on Easter Monday. His humility, faith, and service to God and the faithful left an indelible mark throughout the world. Hallmarks of his papacy included advocating for the poor, environmentalism, interfaith dialogue, support for immigrants, and Catholic Church reform. I especially appreciate his love and support for the people of Nashville after The Covenant School shooting in March 2023.
When Pope Francis succeeded Pope Benedict XVI in 2013 as the 266th Bishop of Rome, he became the first Jesuit pope, the first Latin American pope, the first pope from the Americas, and the first non-European pope in more than 1,000 years.
We take solace in his lasting legacy to live with compassion, courage, and grace. Though we mourn his loss, we continue to “journey together in hope,” just as Pope Francis has invited us to do this Jubilee Year.
I was appointed the 12th Bishop of the Diocese of Nashville by Pope Francis in November 2017. In my two meetings with him, all that he asked of me and the faithful of Middle Tennessee was that we pray for him. So, in this moment, we continue to honor Pope Francis’ request. In the light of our hope in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us offer up a prayer.
Let us pray: 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 forever in your presence in heaven the mysteries of your grace and compassion, which he faithfully ministered on earth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Most Reverend J. Mark Spalding, D.D., J.C.L.
Twelfth Bishop of Nashville