VATICAN: Nine Days of Mourning Pope Francis: Novendiali
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
According to the tradition of the Catholic Church, a nine-day mourning period for Pope Francis, known as Novendiali, will commence with the funeral Mass on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals until Sunday, May 4.
Even though the Novendiali begins with the funeral Mass, the mourning commenced immediately upon the pope’s death on Easter Monday, marking the start of the “sede vacante,” the “Vacant See,” which is the period between the end of a Pope’s governance of the Church and the election of his successor.
Rooted in ancient Roman and Christian customs, this solemn observance underscores the Church’s reverence for the departed leader and is marked by daily Masses and prayers for the repose of the late pontiff’s soul.
Each subsequent day features Eucharistic celebrations led by various cardinals, reflecting the global unity of the Church in mourning and honouring the spiritual legacy of Pope Francis.
According to the Vatican Holy Press Office, the celebrations are open to all people, though each day will involve the participation of a different group, taking into account its links with the Roman Pontiff. These different assemblies show the scope of the ministry of the Supreme Pastor and the universality of the Church of Rome.
After the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, the celebrations of the Novendiali in subsequent days will continue as follows:
2nd day: Sunday 27 April, at 10.30, on the parvis of the Vatican Basilica: employees and faithful of the Vatican City State. The concelebration will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, former Secretary of State.
3rd day: Monday 28 April, at 17.00, in the Vatican Basilica: The Church of Rome. The concelebration will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar general of His Holiness for the diocese of Rome.
4th day: Tuesday 29 April, at 17.00, in the Vatican Basilica: The Chapters of the Papal Basilicas. The concelebration will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican.
5th day: Wednesday 30 April, at 17.00, in the Vatican Basilica: The Papal Chapel. The concelebration will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, vice dean of the College of Cardinals.
6th day: Thursday 1 May, at 17.00, in the Vatican Basilica: The Roman Curia. The concelebration will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
7th day: Friday 2 May, at 17.00, in the Vatican Basilica: The Eastern Churches. The concelebration will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, former prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches.
8th day: Saturday, 3 May, at 17.00, in the Vatican Basilica: The members of the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life. The concelebration will be presided over by His Eminence Ángel Fernández Artime, former pro-prefect of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life.
9th day: Sunday, 4 May, at 17.00, in the Vatican Basilica: The Papal Chapel. The concelebration will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, protodeacon of the College of Cardinals.
Besides the mourning of the Pope during the nine days, it will also provide the College of Cardinals time to prepare for the forthcoming conclave to elect the next Pope.
Pope Francis’ funeral will follow the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, which is the Vatican’s official liturgical text for papal funerals, that updated at Pope Francis’ request in November 2024.
