THE POPE DIED

 At 7:35 a.m.

Pope Francis died this Monday at the age of 88, according to Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Vatican Camerlengo.

April 21, 2025 10:03 AM

(InfoCatólica) Pope Francis died this Monday at the age of 88, according to Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Vatican Camerlengo. The Holy See made the announcement at 9:52 a.m. with a statement:

"A short time ago, His Eminence Cardinal Farrell sadly announced the death of Pope Francis, with these words: 'Dear brothers and sisters, with profound sorrow I must announce the passing of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 a.m. this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father's house. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and his Church.' He taught us to live the values ​​of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we entrust the soul of Pope Francis to the infinitely merciful love of the Triune God.

Francis, who left the hospital on March 28 after a long 37-day stay due to pneumonia, appeared in public for the last time yesterday, Sunday, in St. Peter's Square to give the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing.

Sede vacante

From this moment on, the See is vacant, and will remain so until his successor is elected in the next conclave.

The procedure for confirming his death began with the traditional rite performed by the Camerlengo, who pronounced the Pope's baptismal name three times. In the absence of a response, his death was officially declared. As tradition the Fisherman's Ring, a symbol of papal authority, was destroyed in the presence of witnesses to prevent any misuse. Furthermore, the papal apartment has been sealed in accordance with current canonical regulations, and the formal process of organizing the funeral has begun.

The funeral ceremonies will follow the provisions revised in the second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, reforms initiated by Pope Francis himself during his pontificate. The body will lie in state in St. Peter's Basilica for three days so the faithful can pay their respects, abandoning the traditional raised coffin used in previous papal funerals.

Pope Francis will be buried in a single wooden coffin, breaking with the custom of three successive coffins of cypress, lead, and walnut used for the deaths of Popes. His wish, expressed during his lifetime, is to be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a place he visited every time he made an apostolic journey.

The requiem Mass will be presided over by the Dean of the College of Cardinals and is expected to be attended by political leaders, international dignitaries, and representatives of various religious denominations.

After the funeral, Novemdiales will be celebrated, nine consecutive days of Masses in St. Peter's Basilica. These celebrations, presided over by various cardinals, are intended to pray for the soul of the pontiff and spiritually prepare the Church for the upcoming conclave.

Role of the Camerlengo and Temporal Government of the Church

During the period of sede vacante, the College of Cardinals assumes responsibility for the temporal government of the Church, albeit with limited powers. The Camerlengo will be responsible for the temporal government of the Church, albeit with limited powers. The Camerlengo will be responsible for administering the ordinary affairs of the Vatican, managing day-to-day functions without making decisions that could compromise the authority of the next pontiff. No doctrinal decisions will be made or major appointments made until the new Pope is elected.

The prefects of the Vatican dicasteries automatically cease their functions upon the death of the pontiff, except for the Major Penitentiary, who will continue to serve to address matters related to the absolution of grave sins until the election of the new leader of the Catholic Church.

This concludes the note.

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Let us pray for the Pope.

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HAPPY EASTER TO OUR FRIENDS-READERS

 

GOOD FRIDAY

 

GOOD FRIDAY (Mandatory fast and abstinence).

 

GOOD FRIDAY  (Mandatory fast and abstinence)

This day is for you to cry out for mercy for yourself and the entire human race. On Good Friday you should participate in Christ's funeral by hearing the Gospel of the Passion and the Seven Words, which are the last guidelines that Christ, our Redeemer, gave us.

Confess this day all your iniquities, cleanse your soul from the leprosy of sin with the Blood of Christ, participate in the Passion of your Savior, so that one day you may share His Victory.

Christ suffered on Good Friday to set you free from sin, which is the most terrible cancer, and from Hell, the greatest misfortune.

And you are thinking of going on holiday like so many other Neo-Pagans, perhaps to die on the road of ingratitude!

On Good Friday you should follow the Way of the Cross, meditate on what your Lord suffered for you to realize what you undeserve. Read the last chapters of Matthew, Luke or John, or watch the movie The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson, to help you understand the price Christ paid to set you free from the power of sin and the devil in order to make you a son of God.

Good Friday is a day of abstinence, fast and sorrow; silence and tears; mourning and grief; and not a day to spend it on the beach, surrounded by pleasures and amusements (neither licit nor illicit).

This day is for you to cry out for mercy for yourself and the entire human race. On Good Friday you should participate in Christ's funeral by hearing the Gospel of the Passion and the Seven Words, which are the last guidelines that Christ, our Redeemer, gave us.

Confess this day all your iniquities, cleanse your soul from the leprosy of sin with the Blood of Christ, participate in the Passion of your Savior, so that one day you may share His Victory.

Christ suffered on Good Friday to set you free from sin, which is the most terrible cancer, and from Hell, the greatest misfortune.

And you are thinking of going on holiday like so many other Neo-Pagans, perhaps to die on the road of ingratitude!

On Good Friday you should follow the Way of the Cross, meditate on what your Lord suffered for you to realize what you undeserve. Read the last chapters of Matthew, Luke or John, or watch the movie The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson, to help you understand the price Christ paid to set you free from the power of sin and the devil in order to make you a son of God.

Good Friday is a day of abstinence, fast and sorrow; silence and tears; mourning and grief; and not a day to spend it on the beach, surrounded by pleasures and amusements (neither licit nor illicit).

THE SOUL THAT DISCOVERS ITSELF "JUDAS"

The soul that reveals itself as Judas… and doesn't flee

—Lord…

last night we dined with you.

We sang the psalm.

And your eyes were raised to heaven with tenderness.

You broke the Bread…

and looked at us as if we were still worthy.

But I already had the dagger sheathed in my soul.

It wasn't made of metal,

but of indifference,

of cowardice,

of hidden loves stronger than yours.

—Lord…

I was Judas.

Not with scandal.

But with feigned fidelity.

With Mass and sin.

With just words and a double heart.

And today,

when I wake up,

I discover that the kiss is still on my lips.

—I sold you.

Not for thirty coins,

but for peace with the world.

So as not to inconvenience.

For not loving you to the point of blood.

And you...

you looked at me.

Not with reproach.

With that meekness

that breaks more than judgment.

With that purity

that accuses without a voice.

And you said:

"Friend..."

and that was worse.

For there is no pain deeper

than receiving love

when Love itself has been wounded.

I was Judas, Lord.

And yet you did not push me away.

You did not call the angels.

You did not invoke the Father.

You only allowed

yourself to be seized

like a meek Lamb.

And I trembled.

"Lord...

I do not deserve to look at you.

I do not deserve your Passion.

I do not deserve your Name.

And yet you wait for me?

"

[Christ responds]

"You turned your back on me,

but I have waited for you head on."

You sold me,

but I have paid for you with my Blood.

You called me "Master" without faith,

but I have called you "friend"…

and I have not withdrawn the word.

Don't you see, my soul,

that in that kiss you gave me

I placed all the warmth of my eternal Love?

Don't you understand yet

that I did not come to save innocents,

but to rescue traitors?

I did not defend myself when you handed me over.

I did not hide when you pretended.

No…

I stayed.

And for you

I was led like a dumb lamb to the slaughter.

Don't explain.

Don't make excuses.

Don't dissemble.

Just give me your wound.

I will heal it with nails.

I will wash it with Blood.

I will clothe it in my seamless tunic.

I will make your betrayal

my throne in my soul.

Come.

Not as one who begs for forgiveness,

but like the thief crucified at my right hand,

who only said:

"Remember me..."

and was already mine.

Because even after the kiss,

I have loved you more.

THE VIRGIN CARED WITH CARE AND LOVE THAT NOT A DROP OF THE BLOOD OF HER SON, JESUS ​​CHRIST, GOD, WAS LOST, AND NOW THE CONSECRATED PARTICLES ARE ALLOWED TO FALL WITH COMMUNION IN THE HAND

 

Tertullian*: “…we take scrupulously care that nothing from the chalice or the bread may fall to the ground.”

Saint Hippolytus: “…each one be careful… that no fragment falls and is lost, because it is the Body of Christ that must be eaten by the faithful and not despised.”

Origen*: “With what caution and veneration, when you receive the Body of the Lord, you preserve it, so that nothing falls or anything of the consecrated gift is lost.”

Saint Cyril: “…receive it, taking care that nothing of it is lost, for tell me: if someone were to give you some gold filings, would you not guard them with all diligence, trying not to lose any of them?

Will you not, then, take much greater care that not a single crumb of what is more precious than gold and precious stones falls to you?”

THE VIRGIN MARY DURING THE FLAGELLATION OF HER SON JESUS ​​CHRIST, GOD.

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (visions and revelations): "When she came to, she saw the executioners carrying her Son away, torn to pieces. Jesus wiped his bloody eyes to see his Mother. She painfully raised her hands to him and followed with her eyes the bloody footprints of his feet. Then I saw Mary and Magdalene leave the people and approach the place of the scourging. Surrounded and hidden by the other women and other good people who gathered around, they threw themselves on the ground beside the pillar and with those cloths wiped away every drop they could find of the holy blood of Jesus."

*Even those who fell into error proclaimed respect and care for the consecrated particles.

COMMEMORATION OF THE SORROWS OF OUR LADY. Friday of Holy Week

 COMMEMORATION OF THE SORROWS OF OUR LADY. Friday of Holy Week –

At the dawn of Holy Week, the Church invites us to pause before the pierced Heart of Mary, contemplating her sufferings as a prelude to the mystery of the Passion of her Son. This day, laden with symbolism and devotion, prepares us for the sacred drama we will soon experience. Let us reflect, then, on the origin of this feast, its meaning, the importance of Our Lady in Holy Week, and how we can approach her with fervor.

Origin of the Feast

The commemoration of the Sorrows of Our Lady on the Friday of Holy Week has its roots in medieval piety, particularly in the devotion to the seven sorrows of Mary, promoted by the Order of the Servants of Mary since the 13th century. Although it was not a universally obligatory feast in the Roman calendar, this Friday acquired great significance in certain local traditions, especially in Spain, Italy, and Latin America. In the traditional Roman liturgy, the Friday before Palm Sunday was observed as a day of penitential preparation, and the memory of Mary's Sorrows was intertwined with readings and prayers anticipating Christ's Passion. In Rome, the Station at St. Stephen's on Monte Celio, a church linked to the martyrdom of the first deacon, evoked sacrifice and suffering, resonating with the Virgin's sorrow at the foot of the Cross.

The cult of Mary's Sorrows became formalized over time, but already in the early centuries the Church recognized the Virgin's unique role as Co-Redemptrix. Texts such as the Stabat Mater, used in the ancient liturgy, and the meditations of saints such as St. Bernard and St. Alphonsus Liguori, emphasized the inseparable connection between Mary's suffering and that of her Son. This Friday, therefore, was an echo of that devotion, a moment to meditate on the seven daggers that pierced Mary's soul: Simeon's prophecy, the flight to Egypt, the loss of Jesus in the Temple, the encounter on the Way of the Cross, the crucifixion, the descent from the Cross, and the burial of Christ.

Symbolism of the Feast before Holy Week

This Friday of Sorrows, situated in the First Week of the Passion, is a sacred threshold. It symbolizes the prelude to the redemptive sacrifice, an invitation to enter into the mystery of the Cross through the eyes and heart of Mary. Our Lady of Sorrows is not a passive figure; she is the Mother who, in silence, offers her pain to the Father for our salvation. This day reminds us that Holy Week is not only the Passion of Christ, but also Mary's compassion, her "com-passion"—her suffering with Him. The ancient liturgy, with its sobriety and depth, prepares us for Calvary by placing us under the mantle of the grieving Mother, whose presence guides us toward the Resurrection.

In St. Stephen's Day, today's liturgical season, the saint's martyrdom is united with Mary's suffering, reminding us that following Christ implies taking up the cross. This Friday, then, is a call to penance, prayer, and contemplation, so that, when Holy Week arrives, our hearts are ready to accompany Christ and his Mother on the journey of suffering and glory.

The Importance of the Virgin Mary in Holy Week

The Virgin Mary occupies a central place in Holy Week, not as an isolated protagonist, but as an antagonist who remains alongside her Son. In the traditional liturgy, her presence is discreet but powerful: we see her in the Stabat Mater on Good Friday, in Marian antiphons such as the Salve Regina, and in the popular devotions that flourish during this time. Mary is the bridge between humanity and Christ; her pain teaches us to love the Cross, and her fidelity shows us the path to the Resurrection. During Holy Week, every season—from Holy Thursday to Holy Saturday—is permeated by her maternal presence. She washes the path to Calvary with her tears, carries the cross with her silence, and awaits the Resurrection with unwavering hope.

Without Mary, Holy Week would be incomplete.

She teaches us to say "Fiat" (let it be done) in the face of suffering, to trust in God's will even in the darkness. Therefore, honoring her Sorrows today is preparing ourselves to live the Passion of Christ with an open heart, ready to share her pain and receive her redemption.

Exhortation

Let us approach the altars of Our Lady of Sorrows with reverence. May every candle we light, every flower we offer, be an act of love and reparation. May this Good Friday be for us a moment of conversion, to cast off sin and clothe ourselves with grace. As we pass by an image of the Virgin, let us pause for a moment, bow our souls, and offer her our company. And as we prepare for Holy Week, let us follow her example: let us remain steadfast at the foot of the Cross, trusting that Good Friday will give way to Easter Sunday.

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