Archdiocese of Jaro to offer mass for Pope Francis on April 26

The Archdiocese of Jaro said on Thursday that it will hold a Mass of Suffrage in memory of Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26.

“As the Church mourns, the Archdiocese of Jaro shares in the grief of the faithful around the world at the passing of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis. As a local Church, we thank God for his apostolic leadership, tireless witness to mercy and peace, and enduring love for the people of God,” the pastoral announcement of Archbishop Midyphil Billones, D.D. read.

“In union with the universal Church, we shall celebrate a Mass for the eternal repose of Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 4:00 PM at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral,” he added.

The archbishop also requested parishes outside of Iloilo City to offer Mass in synchrony with the 4:00 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral and the Vatican.

Funeral Mass in Rome

Pope Francis chose the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major) as his final resting place. 

"Feeling that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching and with lively hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my testamentary will only as regards the place of my burial," wrote the pope in his will dated June 29, 2022, that was published Monday by the Vatican.

The Pontiff died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure on Easter Monday, April 21. He was 88 years old. 

A funeral Mass will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Peter’s Square, which also marks the start of “Novendiales” Masses or nine days of mourning in memory of the deceased Pope. — BAP, GMA Integrated News