Catholic Church Concludes Novemdiales Mourning Period Following Death of Pope Francis

Stock Photo: Cardinals

The Catholic Church formally concluded the traditional Novemdiales mourning period on Sunday, marking nine days since the funeral of Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88 after serving 12 years as the head of the Roman Catholic Church. His passing triggered a series of time-honored rites, culminating in a final mass held in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

Pope Francis, remembered for his progressive vision and efforts to modernize the Church, died of a stroke on Easter Monday, which led to a coma and subsequent heart failure. His health had been in decline over recent years, following two abdominal surgeries and recurrent respiratory infections. He was hospitalized for five weeks between February and March due to bronchitis and pneumonia.

The Novemdiales period, a centuries-old tradition, began with the late pontiff’s funeral in St. Peter’s Square and included nine consecutive days of masses in his honor. Each mass was led by a different cardinal. The final service was presided over by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, a senior deacon in the College of Cardinals, which plays a central role in both advising the papacy and electing a new pope when the position is vacant.

Cardinal Mamberti delivered the homily in Italian, while hymns echoed through the basilica and clergy members offered remarks at the altar. Hundreds of cardinals and laypeople gathered for the final mass, which was also streamed live by the Vatican.

"We have all admired how Pope Francis, animated by the love of the Lord and carried by his grace, was faithful to his mission until the extreme consumption of his strength," said Mamberti. "He admonished the powerful, that they must obey God rather than man, and proclaimed to all humanity the joy of the gospel."

With the Novemdiales concluded, the Church now turns its attention to selecting the next pope. The papal conclave, an ancient and highly secretive process, will commence on May 7. Approximately 135 cardinal electors will seclude themselves inside the Vatican, entering the Sistine Chapel to cast repeated ballots until one candidate secures a two-thirds-plus-one majority vote.

Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, spoke to reporters on Sunday about the forthcoming conclave. While no frontrunners have been publicly named, Dolan emphasized the importance of reflection over campaigning.

“In the general congregations, you don't speak about candidates. You speak about the beauty, the graces of Pope Francis and the challenges of the Church,” he said. Dolan added that cardinals often hold private conversations about the future of the Church and the qualities needed in its next leader.

Dolan expressed a heartfelt wish for a new pope who embodies the essence of Christ. “There's a pope that is like Jesus, because the pope is supposed to be the vicar of Christ on Earth,” he said. Reflecting on his first impression of Pope Francis, Dolan recalled sitting next to Archbishop Christoph Schönborn of Vienna. “He had tears in his eyes and said, ‘He speaks like Jesus.’ I said, ‘I think that’s the job description.’”

The conclave will follow strict protocols, steeped in historical ritual, as the global Catholic community awaits the announcement of a new spiritual leader to guide the Church through its next chapter.