Memorial Mass for Pope Francis on Friday at Holy Cross Cathedral

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The Archdiocese of Honiara will celebrate a Memorial Mass for Pope Francis on Friday, 1:00 PM at Holy Cross Cathedral.

Archbishop Christopher .M. Cardone OP Archdiocese of Honiara to honor his life and enduring legacy, the Archdiocese of Honiara will celebrate a Memorial Mass for Pope Francis on Friday, 1:00 PM at Holy Cross Cathedral.

“We invite all the faithful and members of the public to attend. Wreaths and floral tributes are welcome as a sign of respect,” he wrote.

In his statement on the death of Pope Francis, Cardone said: “It is with profound sorrow and deep reverence that we, the Archdiocese of Honiara, join the universal Church in mourning the passing of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, aged 88, who died on Monday, 21st April 2025.”

He described Pope Francis as a shepherd of great humility, compassion, and tireless commitment to the poor, the vulnerable, and the forgotten. Inspired by the example of his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, he consistently called the Church and the world to a path of mercy, justice, peace, and care for our common home.

Throughout his pontificate, he became a voice for the voiceless and a bridge between peoples of all cultures and creeds. I was personally blessed to meet Pope Francis on three occasions in Rome—each encounter a moment of grace, marked by his sincere warmth, simplicity, and holiness.

Cardone said even in his final days, Pope Francis remained a beacon of hope. On Easter Sunday, just days before his passing, he made a brief appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Though physically frail, he greeted the world with the words: “Fratelli e sorelle, Buona Pasqua” – “Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter.”