REQUIEM MASSES TO BE HELD ACROSS WALES

POPE FRANCIS, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church and a transformative figure in global religious life, died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. The Vatican announced that he passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City. ​

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis was elected pope in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.

He was the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas. His papacy was marked by a focus on humility, social justice, and outreach to marginalised communities. He was known for his efforts to reform the Vatican bureaucracy, address the clerical sexual abuse crisis, and promote interfaith dialogue. ​

In recent months, Pope Francis faced health challenges, including a hospitalisation in February 2025 for bronchitis and pneumonia. Despite his illness, he made a final public appearance on Easter Sunday, delivering a blessing from a wheelchair in St. Peter’s Square. ​

In Wales, Catholic communities are mourning his passing.

Churches across the country are holding Requiem Masses in his honour.

St David’s Cathedral in Cardiff has scheduled special services, inviting the faithful to pray for the repose of the Pope’s soul. Similarly, parishes in Wrexham and Menevia dioceses are organising memorial liturgies.​

Archbishop Mark O’Toole of Cardiff stated, “Pope Francis was a shepherd to us all, embodying humility and compassion. His commitment to social justice and care for the marginalised resonated deeply within our communities.”

First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis this morning.

“As First Minister of Wales, and as a Christian, I offer my deepest condolences to the Catholic community in Wales and around the world.

“Pope Francis led with unwavering humility, courage and profound compassion. Throughout his papacy, he was a tireless advocate for the poor, the marginalised and the displaced. He reminded us all that the fight against poverty, climate change and injustice is not just a political or social task, but a moral calling. His message was clear: every person, regardless of background, race, or sexuality, deserves dignity, respect and love.

“His famous call to ‘not judge, but walk with’ exemplified a faith rooted in love, empathy and understanding for all people, focusing on compassion rather than condemnation.

“In his final months, he spoke with moral clarity, condemning what he referred to as the ‘genocide’ in Gaza, urging the world to recognise the humanity of all people and to choose peace over destruction.

“In a world that often feels divided, Pope Francis built bridges of unity and his legacy will endure in the lives he touched and the values he championed – values that continue to inspire us here in Wales.

“On behalf of the Welsh Government, I offer our deepest sympathies to all those mourning his loss. May he rest in peace, and may his example continue to guide and inspire us all.”

Global leaders have expressed condolences, highlighting Pope Francis’s commitment to compassion, peace, and interfaith dialogue. French President Emmanuel Macron described him as “a man of humility, on the side of the most vulnerable and most fragile,” while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered him as “a symbol of compassion and spiritual courage.” ​

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, stated:​ “The death of Pope Francis brings great sadness to so many around the world, both within the Catholic Church and in societies in general. A voice proclaiming the innate dignity of every human being, especially those who are poor or marginalised, is now silent.” ​

King Charles III, as the head of the Church of England, issued a personal statement:​ “His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.” ​

Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, reflected on Pope Francis’s ecumenical efforts:​ “Francis’s whole life and ministry was centred on Jesus who comes among us not to be served, but to serve. We saw that compellingly in Francis’s service of the poor, his love of neighbour especially the displaced, migrant, the asylum seeker, his deep compassion for the well-being of the earth and his desire to lead and build the church in new ways.” ​

The Vatican has initiated a nine-day mourning period, and funeral arrangements are underway. A conclave to elect his successor is anticipated to begin between May 6 and May 11, 2025. ​

Pope Francis’s legacy includes significant reforms within the Church, advocacy for environmental issues, and efforts to modernise the institution while maintaining its core teachings.