The Final Novemdiale Mass in Honor of Pope Francis
On a serene Sunday afternoon, 4 May, the Third Sunday of Easter, Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti presided over the ninth and final Novemdiale Mass in the grandiose Saint Peter’s Basilica. The Mass was held in suffrage for the beloved Pope Francis, with the esteemed College of Cardinals in attendance. Cardinal Mamberti eloquently reminded the congregation of Peter’s mission, which is rooted in love and expressed through dedicated service to the Church and all of humanity.
By Alessandro Di Bussolo
In his poignant homily, Cardinal Mamberti emphasized that the mission of Peter and the Apostles is synonymous with love itself, which manifests as unwavering service to the Church and to every individual. He praised Pope Francis for embodying this mission with relentless devotion, fueled by the profound love of the Lord. The Cardinal highlighted the Gospel passage from John, where Jesus entrusts Peter with his mission and commands him to “Follow me!”
Proclaiming the joy of the Gospel
Cardinal Mamberti underscored the relevance of the Gospel narrative for a Church fervently praying for a new Successor of Peter as the Conclave was set to commence on 7 May. He drew parallels to the Acts of the Apostles, where Peter and his companions boldly declared, “We must obey God rather than men.” The Cardinal reflected on Pope Francis’ courageous proclamations of the joy of the Gospel and the compassionate nature of the Merciful Father and Christ the Savior.
“He did this through his teachings, his travels, his gestures, and his way of life. He said, “I stood near him on Easter Sunday at the Loggia of the Blessings of this Basilica, a witness to his suffering, but above all to his courage and determination to serve the People of God until the end.””
Peter’s humble love
Cardinal Mamberti invoked the words of Pope Benedict XVI, who illuminated Peter’s realization that Jesus accepts his imperfect love. This divine understanding provided hope to Peter, who had experienced the agony of betrayal. From that moment on, Peter followed the Master with a profound awareness of his own vulnerabilities. The Cardinal also referenced Saint John Paul II, who, on the 25th anniversary of his pontificate, expressed a deep connection to the dialogue between Jesus and Peter.
The essential dimension of adoration
Cardinal Mamberti also delved into the second reading from Revelation, emphasizing the significance of praise and adoration of God and the Lamb. He highlighted Pope Francis’ emphasis on adoration as a vital aspect of the Church’s mission and the lives of believers. The Pope’s dedication to prayerful adoration and contemplation resonated deeply with Cardinal Mamberti.
“This ability to adore was clearly present in Pope Francis. His intense pastoral life and countless encounters were always rooted in long periods of prayer shaped by Ignatian discipline. He often reminded the Church that contemplation is “a dynamic of love” that “lifts us to God not to detach us from the world, but to help us dwell in it more deeply.””
In conclusion, Cardinal Mamberti reflected on Pope Francis’ profound devotion to Mary, Salus Populi Romani, whom he prayed to 126 times at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. The Cardinal encouraged the faithful to entrust the late Pope to the intercession of the Mother of the Lord and our Mother.
Prayer for Pope Francis
During the prayers of the faithful, the Church fervently prayed for the soul of Pope Francis, asking the Lord to welcome him into His kingdom and purify him of human weaknesses. The Cardinals celebrated Mass in their titular churches across Rome on Sunday, and further General Congregations were scheduled for the upcoming days.
