Author: Pilgrim Kompass Team

Welcome to the Sede Vacante 2025: A Time of Prayer and Reflection In the solemn setting of the Sede Vacante 2025, on April 27th, the second day of the Novendiali, a series of Masses in suffrage for the soul of the deceased Pope, was celebrated. St. Peter’s Basilica once again became the spiritual center of the Catholic world, where the College of Cardinals, along with faithful from all over, joined in an intense prayer of thanksgiving and hope. The celebration was presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, who in his homily recalled the…

Welcome to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where members of the esteemed College of Cardinals recently gathered to pay homage to Pope Francis. This special visit was followed by a moving prayer session of Second Vespers. Vatican News On the evening of Divine Mercy Sunday, the Second Sunday of Easter, the College of Cardinals came together at the historic Basilica of Saint Mary Major to honor Pope Francis. His tomb, open to the public since early morning, was the focal point of their visit. As the Cardinals paid their respects, the atmosphere was filled with reverence and solemnity.…

By Valerie Joy Escalona Manila, Philippines, Apr 27, 2025 / 06:00 am The Philippines is set to make history on April 27, Divine Mercy Sunday, as it becomes the first nation in the world to consecrate itself entirely to Jesus through divine mercy. This groundbreaking event will mark a significant moment for the country and its people. In 2016, at the Pan-African Congress on Divine Mercy Sunday in Rwanda, bishops in Africa consecrated the entire continent to divine mercy. However, the Philippines will be the first singular nation to take this remarkable step towards spiritual renewal. Father James Cervantes of…

By Kristina Millare Rome Newsroom, Apr 27, 2025 / 09:45 am Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin presided over the solemn Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday held in St. Peter’s Square, highlighting the need for the Church to follow in Pope Francis’ footsteps as “instruments of mercy for humanity” in the world today. “Only mercy heals and creates a new world, putting out the fires of distrust, hatred and violence: this is the great teaching of Pope Francis,” Parolin said in his Sunday homily. “Pope Francis was a shining witness of a Church that bends down with tenderness towards those…

By Courtney Mares Vatican City, Apr 27, 2025 / 08:00 am The unexpected death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, postponed the much-anticipated canonization of Carlo Acutis, the Italian teenager who captivated a generation of young Catholics with his love of the Eucharist and passion for technology. Now, as the Church prepares for a conclave to elect a new pope, tens of thousands of young pilgrims who traveled to Rome for the canonization remain in the Eternal City, holding vigil for the departed pope. Acutis’ journey to sainthood has unfolded alongside the lives of the last three popes,…

Un tributo affettuoso a Papa Francesco ha portato circa 30.000 persone a Santa Maria Maggiore, dove ieri è stato tumulato nella basilica. “E’ diventato un luogo di culto ancora più frequentato”, ha dichiarato il prefetto di Roma, Lamberto Giannini, durante una conferenza stampa all’info point di via della Conciliazione. “Già nei giorni scorsi avevamo registrato molte presenze – ha sottolineato Giannini – ma si sono moltiplicate e stiamo facendo il possibile per organizzare tutto al meglio, poiché l’amore dei romani per Francesco è evidente.” Dalle prime ore del mattino, quando la basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore ha aperto le porte,…

The Jubilee Year in Rome: A Gathering of Young Hearts The Jubilee Year in Rome is in full swing, and despite some changes to the schedule, the Jubilee of Teenagers is still going strong from 25 to 27 April. Over 70,000 young people from all corners of the globe have flocked to the Eternal City to partake in the events. Vatican News The atmosphere in Rome has been described as “historic” by the teenagers who have gathered there over the past few days. The streets are filled with young pilgrims, easily identifiable by their backpacks and duffel bags. One such…

The Importance of Listening: A Message from the Late Pope Francis In mid-January, a month before his hospitalization, the late Pope Francis recorded a video message emphasizing the significance of listening while others are speaking. A recently uncovered video, recorded on January 8, shows the late Pope addressing young people participating in “Listening Workshops,” an initiative founded in Italy by Luca Drusian. These workshops aim to bring together young people and adults to engage in discussions on various topics, highlighting the importance of listening and being heard. The video was released a day after the late Pope’s Requiem Mass by…

By Cardinal Pietro Parolin Vatican City, Apr 27, 2025 / 07:00 am Editor’s Note: On April 27, 2025, Cardinal Pietro Parolin served as principal celebrant for the second Novendiales Mass following Pope Francis’ funeral. The following homily was delivered on Divine Mercy Sunday in St. Peter’s Square during the Jubilee of Teenagers, as published by the Holy See Press Office. Dear brothers and sisters, The risen Jesus appears to his disciples while they are in the Upper Room where they have fearfully shut themselves in, with the doors locked (Jn 20:19). Their state of mind is disturbed and their hearts…

Un omaggio straordinario a Papa Francesco ha visto circa 20mila persone affluire a Santa Maria Maggiore, con 13mila già entrate nella basilica. Questi sono i dati forniti dalla Questura. Dalle prime ore del mattino, quando la basilica ha aperto le sue porte, un flusso costante di fedeli si è riversato per pregare di fronte alla tomba di Papa Francesco. Già centinaia erano in attesa all’alba, e ora la fila si è allungata per accogliere migliaia di persone. Le messe domenicali sono iniziate presto, alle 7, nelle cappelle laterali, mentre i fedeli che desideravano partecipare alla messa principale delle 10 sono…