Requiem Mass for Pope Francis Celebrated at the Cathedral of Jesus' Heart

(Patria) - A requiem Mass for Pope Francis was celebrated today at the Cathedral of Jesus' Heart in Sarajevo, in the presence of a large number of faithful.

The Mass was led by the Apostolic Nuncio to BiH, Mons. Francis Assisi Chullikatt, together with the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Mons. Tomo Vukšić, and priests.


Photo: Patria

Other instructions were also issued in the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna. Thus, on the day of the burial of Pope Francis' body or the first following free day, a requiem Mass will be celebrated in all churches with the participation of the faithful.

Also, at the moment when funeral rites begin in Rome, church bells throughout the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna will ring for ten minutes, according to local custom.

Every other priest of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna is also invited to offer one more holy Mass with the intention for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis, Fena reports.

Pope Francis passed away on April 21, Easter Monday, at the age of 89.

The funeral Mass for Pope Francis will be held tomorrow at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square. This will mark the beginning of the ancient tradition of nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of the Pope's soul.

Pope Francis will be buried in the Roman Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. He requested a simple grave in the ground in that church.

Francis will be the first pope to be buried there since the 17th century and the first in over a hundred years to be buried outside the Vatican.


Photo: Patria

It is expected that more than 200,000 people will be present tomorrow in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis. Numerous delegations from countries around the world will also attend the funeral, including officials from BiH.

Faithful around the world mourn the death of Pope Francis, a man distinguished by simplicity and humility, whose pontificate over the past 12 years has left a deep mark, not only within the Catholic Church.

By decision of the Council of Ministers of BiH, Saturday, April 26, has been declared a Day of Mourning in Bosnia and Herzegovina due to the death of the Holy Father Francis.

The Day of Mourning is marked by the mandatory flying of the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina at half-mast on buildings of BiH institutions.