ROME // Over one hundred cardinals currently present in Rome, bishops, and religious gathered on Sunday at the Basilica of St. Mary Major to celebrate Second Vespers and pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis.
The prayer followed the Second Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours—the final service of the Easter Octave—accompanied by the basilica’s choir in solemn song.
Vespers were presided over by Lithuanian Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, who was appointed last year by Pope Francis as coadjutor archpriest of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. At 53 years old, he is the fifth-youngest member of the College of Cardinals.
The intentions included the petition: “For Pope Francis: May the Risen Lord welcome him into the home of light and peace.”
The evening prayer concluded with the singing of the Easter Marian hymn Regina Coeli, after which several cardinals broke from the recessional to pause in prayer before the tomb of Pope Francis.
On Monday, April 28, the third Mass of the Novemdiales (the nine days of Masses offered for the deceased Pope) will take place at St. Peter’s Basilica, presided over by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar of the Diocese of Rome.
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