Catholic church to hold a Requiem Mass for Pope Francis

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 22, 2025

The Catholic Church will organise a Requiem Mass for Pope Francis at the Cathedral Church, Laitumkhrah on Tuesday.

“There will be a Requiem Mass for Pope Francis on Tuesday, at 5.30pm, the 22nd April, 2025, at the Cathedral Church. We invite Priests, Religious and lay faithful to come and pray that our merciful Lord may grant Pope Francis eternal rest. We place our Church under the protection and intercession of Mother Mary,” Archbishop of Shillong Most Rev Victor Lyngdoh said in his letter to all Priests, Religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Shillong on Monday.

Condoling the demise of Pope Francis, Most Rev Lyndoh said, “With deep sense of sorrow and loss, we mourn the passing away of Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Supreme Pontiff, the Vicar of Christ and the Successor of Peter. His demise is a great loss to the Church and the entire world.”

“He has been a true shepherd of God’s people, a champion for the cause of the poor and the marginalised. As the spiritual leader of the Church, he led it with spiritual wisdom, paternal love, humility and openness, always seeking to promote communion and good will among all peoples. His compassion for the poor, the least and the last and especially for those on the peripheries, such as the migrants and refugees, gained worldwide recognition. His love and care for Mother Earth, expressed in his Encyclical Letter, “Laudato Si’, has become a global movement. The Jubilee year of Hope declared by him and now in progress is inspiring many to turn to the loving mercy of God,” he said.

The Archbishop also issued guidelines during the period of mourning.

“As we mourn the demise of our beloved Holy Father, I request all Priests, Brothers and Sisters to kindly adhere to the following guidelines. The church bell should be tolled in all the Parishes this evening. A portrait of the deceased Pope may be displayed in all the churches and premises of our institutions. Masses should be offered in all the Parishes and Religious institutions for the Holy Father. (Kindly note, the phrase referring to the Pope, including his name, is omitted from the Eucharistic Prayer during the period of “sede vacante” (the vacant see). The mention of the Pope’s name is omitted and only the local bishop’s name is to be mentioned in the Eucharistic prayer. This practice is observed until the new Pope is elected and is installed).

Prayers should be included in the prayer of the faithful at all masses.

As a mark of respect for our Holy Father, kindly refrain from holding any celebrations during the period of mourning.

All Catholic educational institutions will remain closed on the day of the funeral.”