CBCP president Cardinal David urges masses, prayers for Pope Francis

Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, on Monday asked priests to hold masses for the eternal repose of the soul of Pope Francis and to add an intention in the Prayer of the Faithful in masses for the Pontiff.

Pope Francis died on Monday morning in the Vatican.

The Catholic faithful are also encouraged to light a candle for Pope Francis and say a prayer for his eternal repose.

"Let us please offer Masses in our communities for the eternal repose of the soul of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. During our Masses this Easter octave, we will use the prayers and readings of Easter," David said.

"Kindly add an intention in the Prayer of the Faithful for the Pope. Kindly note the following in the Eucharistic Prayer," he added.

"Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with ____, our Bishop, and all the clergy."

"Remember your servant, Pope Francis, whom you have called from this world to yourself. Grant that he who was united with your Son in a death like his may also be one with him in his Resurrection."

The Catholic faithful were asked to say the following prayer for the late Pope while lighting a candle for him.

"O God of mercy and compassion, we entrust to You our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, whom You have called from this life to Yourself. Grateful for his tireless witness to the Gospel, his courage in proclaiming mercy, and his love for the poor and the earth, we now commend his soul to Your eternal embrace." 

"Grant him the reward of faithful service: the joy of seeing You face to face. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen."

David earlier called on churches across the country to ring their bells for Pope Francis.

The Diocese of Dumaguete has also offered a prayer for Pope Francis.

Fr. Christian Jesse Taliping of the Diocese of Tuguegarao said that the liturgical actions were not just “rituals” but also signs of “faith, love, and unity with the Church.” 

“We mourn, yes—but with Christian hope, knowing that Christ is with His Church always,” Taliping said in a Facebook post.

"The Pope, as the Successor of Saint Peter, is the visible sign of unity in the Church. Though his death brings sorrow, we are reminded that Christ remains the head of the Church, and the Holy Spirit continues to guide us through this time of transition,” he added.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber or the caretaker of the Papal household, earlier announced the pope’s death on the Vatican's TV channel.

He will preside over Pope Francis’ rite of the certification of death and the laying of the body in the coffin on Monday evening in Rome.

The 88-year-old pope recently suffered from double pneumonia, which caused him to be hospitalized for weeks.  

Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was elected as successor to the late Pope Benedict XVI in 2013. –NB, GMA Integrated News