U.S. bishops’ novena for Pope Francis starts April 26

Catholic Herald Staff Report

People gather to pray the rosary for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis April 24, at Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major, where the pope is to be buried April 26. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)

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The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has published an online novena that may be offered by Catholic households and parishes during the nine days of mourning (or “novendiales”) beginning Saturday, April 26, the day of Pope Francis’ burial. 

The suggested texts are available in English and in Spanish and include a short reading from Sacred Scripture or from other ecclesiastical texts along with brief prayers from the Roman Missal and the Order of Christian Funerals. 

“The entire Church mourns the death of our Holy Father, Pope Francis,” an introduction to the novena reads. “In cathedrals, basilicas, parish churches, shrines, and chapels, the Holy Eucharist will be offered for the repose of his soul. Communities and individuals will ask God to bestow his infinite mercy on the man who served the Church as Bishop of Rome.”

Pray the novena

Find the novena prayers online or download and print copies at usccb.org/novena-memory-pope-francis.

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