Prayer, Pilgrims Accompany Pope Francis’ Body to St. Peter’s Basilica

By Currents News and Cindy Wooden

VATICAN CITY – To the chanting of Christ’s promise, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,” the mortal remains of Pope Francis were carried into St. Peter’s Basilica by 14 pallbearers.

Thousands of people had made an early morning pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Square April 23 to witness the transfer and pray for the late pope; they erupted in applause when his body, in an open casket, reached the square and again when it reached the top of the basilica steps.

The basilica was to be open until midnight April 23, from 7 a.m. to midnight April 24 and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 25 for visits by the public. Another rite, to close the casket, was scheduled for late April 25. The pope’s funeral was scheduled for April 26 in St. Peter’s Square with burial to follow at Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major.

U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, as chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, led the prayer service that accompanied the transfer of the body from the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where the pope had lived and where he died April 21 at the age of 88.

More than 80 cardinals joined the procession ahead of Cardinal Farrell, who was wearing a red and gold cope, and immediately preceded the pallbearers flanked by members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.

Directly behind the casket were the men closest to the pope in his final days: his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti; his two valets; and his personal secretaries.

Three religious sisters and a laywoman, whom the pope had appointed to top positions in the Roman Curia, came behind them: Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist Raffaella Petrini, president of the office governing Vatican City State; Salesian Sister Alessandra Smerilli, secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; Xavière Missionary Sister Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops; and Emilce Cuda, secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

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The basilica’s bell-ringer sounded the death knell as the procession began.

To the singing of Psalms, beginning with “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalm 23), the procession with the casket went into St. Peter’s Square amid the public and then up the central ramp – where Pope Francis would ride in the popemobile – and into the church.

Inside the basilica, the choir and assembly chanted the Litany of Saints and then “Subvenite Sancti Dei,” which begins with the petition: “Saints of God, come to his aid. Hasten to meet him, angels of the Lord. Receive his soul and present him to God the Most High.”

Pope Francis’ body, in a zinc-lined wooden casket covered in red fabric, was placed before the main altar on a low platform cut at an angle so that people coming to pay their respects could see his face.

Cardinal Farrell blessed the pope’s body with holy water and incense and led those assembled in praying the Lord’s Prayer.

Removing their red zucchettos, the cardinals bowed before the coffin, made the sign of the cross and left the basilica. They were followed by bishops, both those who work at the Vatican and those who head dioceses, then hundreds of priests and religious and top Vatican lay employees.

Mary Frances Brennan, who teaches at Kennedy Catholic High School in Seattle, was in the front row in St. Peter’s Square.

She said she had learned the pope had died just a few hours before her flight to Rome was scheduled to leave.

“It was devastating,” she said. “We really wanted to see the pope.”

“He’s my pope,” she said. “I love him and want to honor him.”

Additionally, Brennan said, “now all the people back home have a contact here and can see this through my eyes.”

Waiting in line later to enter the basilica, Adjani Tovar from Mexico City told The Tablet that Pope Francis “was a very disruptive pope: As a Jesuit, a true Jesuit, he naturally had a closer connection with people, especially young people.”

“He addressed topics that had been off-limits in the Catholic Church for a long time, and he’s going to be remembered as a turning point for all the openness he showed to different communities, for his focus on inclusion, his relationships with heads of state, and his constant calls for peace,” Tovar said.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 4/22/2025

Pope Francis’ body is currently resting in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, and will lie in state at the Vatican beginning on April 23.

Parishioners of the Diocese of Brooklyn are mourning the death of the Holy Father at Mass and sharing remembrances of him.

Meet one young woman who says that her meeting with the pontiff years ago is now what’s motivating her to be an agent of change in her community.

Faithful in Diocese of Brooklyn React to News of Pope Francis’ Death

By Katie Vasquez

As Catholics around the world mourn the death of the Holy Father, in the Diocese of Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan consoled his flock.

He led a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Brooklyn, in honor of Pope Francis.

“There’s a certain sense of sadness, but there’s also a great sense of gratitude. We’re grateful to the lord for giving us pope francis for all these years, and to Pope Francis for his leadership, for his strength of leadership and his tenderness,” said Bishop Brennan.

Bishop Brennan has had the chance to meet Pope Francis on numerous occasions and he recalls that it was always a warm experience.

“He met with the bishops for, I would say, almost two hours in a room with just an open forum where he said, okay, ask me anything you want to ask. Tell me anything you want to talk about. and I was struck by his fraternal style and his friendliness,” said Bishop Brennan.

When Angie Cruz, a parishioner at Cathedral Basilica of St James, learned the news the morning of April 21, she knew there was one place she had to be.

“I was in shock. I told my daughter, ‘Let me go, let me go. I don’t know, I think he’s passed away already.’ So I start crying, I thought, let me go to church, because it’s painful.'” said Cruz.

She admired the pope for his care and concern for the environment.

“He was a green pope because he was doing stuff around the planet,” said Cruz.

The Holy Father was a role model for Frost Hernandez, which is part of why he attended the April 21 Mass in his memory.

“One of the reasons why, again, I came here today was not only to pray for the pope, but also to pray for the Church, to pray for the Church and the future of the Church,” said Hernandez.

As the first pope from the Americas, Frost says it was a moment of pride for the Hispanic community.

“I think that a lot of people saw themselves in him,” said Hernandez

And now as Catholics mourn his passing, Bishop Brennan wants young people to never forget all the strides that Pope Francis has made.

“His message was that we really need to learn from your joy, your exuberance and, my message to the young people today would be to keep that going, keep that joy and exuberance going,” said Bishop Brennan.

Pope Francis’ Last Words: Pontiff Thanks Nurse for Taking Him to St. Peter’s Square One Last Time

By Carol Glatz and Currents News

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis’ final moments were peaceful, and he managed to give one last farewell to his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, before slipping into a coma early April 21, Vatican News reported.

Among his last words were his thanks to Strappetti late April 20 when he said, “Thank you for bringing me back to the square,” referring to the pope’s surprise appearance after giving his Easter blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

The 88-year-old pope, who was still recovering from pneumonia, did not attend the Easter Mass April 20, but he did appear shortly after noon to give the solemn blessing. With his voice still weak, he wished everyone a Happy Easter and he barely raised his arms as he made the sign of the cross.

“The pope wanted to make one last significant surprise by going to St. Peter’s Square for a ride in the popemobile,” Vatican News said in a report April 22. However, the pope was a little unsure and asked Strappetti, “Do you think I can do it?”

The nurse, who had been by his side for the 38 days he was hospitalized in Rome’s Gemelli hospital and then by his bedside 24/7 at the pope’s residence in the Domus Sanctae Marthae since his return March 23, reassured him that he could, Vatican News reported.

For 15 minutes, Pope Francis rode around St. Peter’s Square and a portion of the wide boulevard leading to the square, filled with about 50,000 people. He blessed a few babies and tried to wave; the crowds were thrilled, waving and running where possible to get a closer view.

Even though the pope made a number of surprise appearances in his wheelchair in St. Peter’s Basilica after he was discharged from the hospital and he appeared briefly in the square in his wheelchair at the end of the closing Mass of the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers April 6 and Palm Sunday April 13, Easter marked his first open popemobile ride since his one-day trip to Corsica in December.

Vatican News reported the pope returned to his residence April 20 “tired, but happy” and he thanked Strappetti for “bringing me back to the square.” The pope hired him to be his personal nurse in 2022.

The pope then rested that afternoon and had a relaxing dinner, Vatican News said.

The first signs that something was wrong happened the next day around 5:30 a.m. followed by “prompt intervention by those watching over him,” it said.

More than an hour later, the pope, who was lying on his bed in his apartment, gestured to wave farewell to Strappetti and slipped into a coma, it said.

“He did not suffer, everything happened quickly,” according to those who were with the pope those final moments, Vatican News reported.

The pope died at 7:35 a.m. from a stroke, the coma and heart failure, the Vatican said.

Pope’s Funeral Set for April 26, Public Viewing April 23-25

by Cindy Wooden and Currents News

ATICAN CITY (CNS) – The funeral Mass of Pope Francis will be celebrated April 26 in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican announced.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the liturgy, which begins a nine-day period of official mourning and daily memorial Masses.

The deceased pope’s body, which was taken to the chapel of his residence late April 21, the day of his death, will be carried into St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing and prayer early April 23.

The public viewing was scheduled to end late April 25 with another prayer service to close the coffin.

Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, said the Mass originally scheduled for the Jubilee for Adolescents April 27 would be one of the eight memorial Masses that follow the funeral of the pope. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was secretary of state under Pope Francis, will preside.

The rites and rituals for dressing the body, moving it to St. Peter’s Basilica and celebrating the funeral are published in the “Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis” (“Funeral Rites of the Roman Pontiff”).

The rites originally were approved by St. John Paul II in 1998 but were released only when he died in 2005. Modified versions of the rites were used after Pope Benedict XVI died Dec. 31, 2022, and Pope Francis revised and simplified them in 2024.

U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, the chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, presided over a prayer service for the formal verification of the pope’s death April 21 in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where Pope Francis celebrated an early morning Mass most days before his final illness.

Cardinal Farrell will lead the prayerful procession to take the pope’s body, already in its coffin, from the chapel, into St. Peter’s Square and then into the basilica.

WATCH: The Tablet’s National Correspondent Prepares to Head to Rome, Previews What To Expect During Funeral Mass

Honoring the Legacy of Pope Francis

By Currents News

In honor of Pope Francis, we leave you with these happy moments from the Holy Father’s 12 years as pope.

Catholic News Special: Remembering Pope Francis, ‘the People’s Pope’

Pope Francis, known as “the people’s pope,” has passed away at the age of 88.

Just hours after the Holy Father gave his very last blessings to pilgrims in Rome on Easter Sunday, Catholics around the world are mourning his loss.

Currents News takes a look back at the impact Pope Francis’ pontificate had on the faithful in the Diocese of Brooklyn, at the Vatican, and beyond.

Pontiff’s Faithful Affinity for World Youth Day Throughout His Papacy

By Alexandra Moyen and Jessica Easthope

PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Since attending World Youth Day for the first time as pope in 2013, Pope Francis encouraged young people to invite God into their lives and go forward as Christ’s disciples. Typically held in the summer, the global event — held every two to three years — was created in 1985 by Pope St. John Paul II to bring together young Catholics from around the world.

Pope Francis attended four World Youth Day celebrations, sharing messages of hope, empathy, and mission at each.

World Youth Day 2013, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Roughly 3 million people attended the final Mass of World Youth Day 2013, Pope Francis’ first. The celebration was held in his native South America, and took place just months after his election. The theme was “Go and make disciples of all nations.”

The Holy Father said in his homily that he believed Jesus was speaking to each of them, saying, “It was wonderful to take part in World Youth Day, to live the faith together with young people from the four corners of the earth.”

“But now you must go, now you must pass on this experience to others,” he said. Pope Francis also emphasized the importance of a missionary spirit, and told the young people that the Lord had given them three simple ideas: “Go, do not be afraid, and serve.”

Romeo Petric, a board chairman for St. Patrick Catholic Academy in Bay Ridge, said he and his youth group had a bit of trouble trying to find the best vantage point to see Pope Francis. Yet, as they say, “good things come to those who wait,” Petric said.

“We were a bit far from the main venue, but as he [drove], once up and down the boulevard that bordered the beaches, the kids were finally able to get a glimpse of him and wave as he zipped by,” he said.

World Youth Day 2016, Kraków, Poland

Held in the hometown of Pope St. John Paul II, the theme of World Youth Day 2016 was “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”

Angelica Taveras, director of Youth Ministry for Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Queens Village, said her trip to Poland was a true representation of the “universal Church.”

While leaving the opening Mass, Taveras said she had a “beautiful moment.”

“We were all walking out shoulder to shoulder because thousands of people are coming out at the same time,” Taveras said. “All of a sudden we’re singing a song. I’m singing it in Spanish and the person next to me is singing it in a different language.”

“There was such a profound connection,” she added. “You hear the same song and all of a sudden we are singing it in different languages and the person next to me just smiles and we laughed.”

World Youth Day 2019, Panama City, Panama

The 34th World Youth Day was held in Central America for the first time, with the theme, “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

On the last day, Pope Francis celebrated Mass, focusing his homily on Mary as an example of youthful discipleship. He said that like Mary, young people need to say yes “to the dream God has sown” in them.

The Holy Father also addressed the dangers of sitting around and waiting for their calling, saying that for Jesus, “there is no meantime.” “You, dear young people, are not the future but the now of God,” Pope Francis said. “He invites you and calls you in your communities and cities to go out and find your grandparents and your elders, to stand up with them, to speak out, and to realize the dream that the Lord has dreamed for you.”

Petric, who has attended six World Youth Days, said the diversity of the Panama gathering stood out. He believes that the event being held in Central America made it easier for many people to travel.

“When he arrived, that was a lot of fun,” Petric said. “He seemed to drive around a little bit slower, and I think that alludes to the fact that he’s from South America.

“When we went to our catechesis sessions, it was a lot smaller place to be,” he added, “and everybody got into it. It did feel a lot more one on one.”

World Youth Day 2023, Lisbon, Portugal

Over 1 million people flocked to Lisbon for he closing Mass of World Youth Day 2023, which was dubbed the “Catholic Woodstock” by the Portuguese press. The theme was “Mary arose and went with haste,” with Pope Francis once again highlighting Mary, and urging young people to not be afraid of stepping forward in faith.

The Holy Father explained to the crowd that shining their light doesn’t mean putting themselves in the spotlight but welcoming Jesus into their hearts, and learning to love as he did. He repeatedly told them not to be afraid. Steven Eriquez, then the youth minister of Our Lady of Grace Church in Howard Beach, attended the gathering with two of his children and 12 members of the church’s youth group.

Eriquez recalled the kid’s excitement when Pope Francis traveled around the city in his popemobile.

“It was Thursday evening when the pope drove right past us — the weather was perfect,” Eriquez said. “We all looked at each other at that point and were like, ‘We could go home and be happy.’ ” Eriquez, now a youth minister at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Forest Hills, said the trip
was a success the moment they saw Pope Francis, adding that moments like those remind him of what the Church is really about.

“When they’re in that moment and surrounded by 1 million people their age, they can now be moved by the impact of the Catholic Church throughout the world,” Eriquez said.

As the event came to a close, it was announced that the next World Youth Day would be held in South Korea in 2027. After the announcement, Petric said the first thing he did was ask the kids who would be joining him, and they all raised their hands.

“I have a group that I’m hoping would be interested in participating,” he said. “Hopefully, they’ll be interested in going and maybe drag a friend or two with them, which is always a good thing every time somebody new comes along or if I get a kid from a neighboring parish that wants to go.”

When Pope Francis Visited New York: A Visit that Still Inspires

By Ed Wilkinson and Currents News

To see in the flesh the first pope from the Western Hemisphere was a thrill. Nine and a half years later, as we mourn the death of Pope Francis, the images of the Holy Father in New York still reverberate in our memory. It was a special moment for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

On Thursday, Oct. 24, 2015, Pope Francis made his first visit to New York City. Because he was landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, the Diocese of Brooklyn had the honor of greeting him. As is the custom, the bishop of the diocese where the Holy Father arrives for a visit has the privilege of being the first to welcome him.

So, there was Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, at JFK, waiting at the foot of the rolling staircase from which the pope descended from the American Airlines Boeing 777 that brought him from Washington, D.C, after a three-day stop in Cuba.

I was standing on the tarmac not far away, one of two photographers who had special access to Pope Francis during his arrival. The other was from the Associated Press. For security reasons, the press was in place for several hours before the plane’s touchdown. We passed the time milling around the area, snapping photos of the early arrivals — the special guests chosen to greet the Holy Father.

Hundreds of lucky people from Brooklyn and Queens were selected to receive tickets to see the pope as he began his three-day visit to New York City and the United Nations. As word spread that the papal plane was near, the excitement built. The plane landed on a specially designated runway near the back of the airport — touching down right in front of the crowd and taxiing out of sight before being brought back to a remote hangar. A few minutes passed before the plane rolled back into view.

On either side of the cockpit were the flags of the United States and Vatican City State. The plane came to a stop in front of those gathered, who were waving flags and calling out greetings to their special guest. The press traveling with the pope alighted from the back door of the aircraft. Down the front stairway came various Vatican officials. Then, Pope Francis, in his white cassock, appeared in the doorway. He waved and slowly descended the steps to the cheers and waves.

Bishop DiMarzio stepped forward and warmly shook hands with the Holy Father — Snap. Cardinal Timothy Dolan embraced the pope with a fraternal hug — Snap. Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the pope’s permanent observer to the United Nations, was next with his welcome — Snap.

From there, one by one, Pope Francis was greeted on a reception line that included local bishops and members of the diocesan curia.

I was recording significant moments in the history of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

A small group of students from Catholic schools in the diocese presented the Holy Father with flowers. Pope Francis spoke individually to each one, lifting them up and patting each of them on the head.

He made his way to the crowd gathered under a large banner that read “Welcome Holy Father to the Diocese of Brooklyn.” He had special moments with Gerard Gubatan, a patient in a hospital bed from Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, and special needs students who had been selected to greet him.

The Xaverian High School band from Bay Ridge played “New York, New York” the whole time.

Pope Francis was then driven to a green-and-white military helicopter with the words United States of America emblazoned on its side. At the same time, other Church leaders, including administrators from the diocese, were escorted to other helicopters.

Up, up, and away, the small convoy of flying machines lifted and headed toward Manhattan.

The visit had begun.

Pope Francis would go on to pray at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, lead prayers at an interfaith service at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, visit a Catholic school in East Harlem, speak to the members of the United Nations General Assembly, drive in his popemobile through Central Park before a crowd of 80,000 people, and celebrate Mass with young people at a capacity-filled Madison Square Garden.

At the U.N., Pope Francis applauded the organization’s 70th anniversary and praised its work for peace and justice.

“War is the negation of all rights and a dramatic assault on the environment,” Pope Francis said. “If we want true integral human development for all, we must work tirelessly to avoid war between nations and peoples.”

At the interfaith service with Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, and other Christians, Pope Francis said he felt “many different emotions standing here at ground zero, where thousands of lives were taken in a senseless act of destruction.”

“Here, grief is palpable,” he said.

Later that evening, he celebrated Mass for 20,000 young people.

“The people have seen a great light,” Pope Francis said in his homily, delivered in Spanish. “The people who walked with all their dreams and hopes, their disappointments and regrets, the people have seen a great light … a light meant to shine on every corner of this city, on our fellow citizens, on every part of our lives.”

Only blocks from Madison Square Garden, DeSales Media sponsored a huge mural image of the Holy Father on the side of a building. “Welcome Pope Francis,” it proclaimed for all of New York City to see.

On Saturday morning, Oct. 26, it fell to the Diocese of Brooklyn to see Pope Francis off from JFK for his flight to Philadelphia to attend the World Meeting of Families. A small group of diocesan representatives stood beneath the same banner that welcomed the pope to the city. They
watched as he arrived by helicopter and then walked the short distance to the waiting plane, waving to those gathered.

Before boarding, he greeted a few members of the Sisters Adorers of the Sacred Heart, an Argentine-based community of sisters who minister in the Diocese of Brooklyn. They presented him with a special drinking straw that was native to Argentina, his homeland.

The Holy Father moved along a reception line of bishops and bid each farewell. As he began to ascend the stairs, he reached over for one last handshake with Vincent LeVien, external affairs director for DeSales Media.

As the plane started toward the runway for takeoff, a line of bishops and diocesan officials waved enthusiastically. Pope Francis’ one and only trip to New York had come to an end. It was time to bid him adieu!

The Last Message From Pope Francis

By Currents News

No one could have imagined that these would be the last words spoken by Pope Francis in public:

“Dear brothers and sisters: Happy Easter! I ask the master of ceremonies to read the message,” Pope Francis said.

His message was coherent with his entire pontificate: a call for peace.

“No peace is possible without true disarmament! The need that every people has to provide for its own defense cannot be transformed into a general race for rearmament,” Archbishop Diego Ravelli said.

The pope’s death on Easter Monday morning was totally unexpected. He had recently been increasing his public appearances. Even though he hardly ever spoke, it was clear he deeply desired to be among people.

In fact, one of his last meetings was at a Rome prison on Holy Thursday.

Pope Francis, known throughout the world as “the People’s Pope”, wanted to live up to his name until the very last moment.