Reading the last public words of PF is very moving…. https://www.vatican.va/content/fran...i/documents/20250420-urbi-et-orbi-pasqua.html Dear brothers and sisters, In the Lord’s Paschal Mystery, death and life contended in a stupendous struggle, but the Lord now lives forever (cf. Easter Sequence). He fills us with the certainty that we too are called to share in the life that knows no end, when the clash of arms and the rumble of death will be heard no more. Let us entrust ourselves to him, for he alone can make all things new (cf. Rev. 21:5)! Happy Easter to everyone!
That last line... That's what jumped out at me the strongest when watching The Passion this year. It gave me goosebumps. "Behold, Mother, I make all things new!"
Luke 6:26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
I certainly appreciate that sense. My Lent, as with many other people, has been quite trying, ramped up in the past 2 weeks. I have again been unemployed for a month us 2 weeks ago my car wouldn't start. Friday the mechanic wasn't feeling good about it & encouraged me to start shopping. I got caught up w the Divine Mercy Novena last night. Must dbl down on behalf of Pope Francis & this Conclave.
I will simply and with love pray for his soul and smile at God's Providence of allowing him to die on Easter.
I was searching the significance of sixty in the Bible and these verses seem significant. Mark 4:20-21 And these are they who are sown upon the good ground, who hear the word, and receive it, and yield fruit, the one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred. And he said to them: Doth a candle come in to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? Considering yesterday was 4/20 and today 4/21 and the difference in years between the birth of Pizzaballa and death of Pope Francis being exactly sixty years. Should Pizzaballa be elected Pope, I think this would be indicative of his Papacy. A Pope who will yield fruit and will spread the Word.
I believe the next pope will be either Anders Arborelius or Jean-Marc Aveline. In both cases, the papal name would likely be John XXIV—the first because he is a Discalced Carmelite, and the second because he is nicknamed "John xxiv" in his diocese.
Praying for his soul and the Church. Praying the Holy Spirit enlightens the souls of the Bishops so they choose a worthy successor to the Chair of Peter.
Praying for a renewal! A sense of calm has settled in me. I pray for the soul of Pope Francis. But mostly I pray for an angelic Pope to come now.
When a pope dies, parishes around the world don’t have a formal administrative role in the process, but they do typically respond in the following ways: 1. Prayers and Masses • Immediately after the announcement, parishes will offer special prayers for the repose of the pope’s soul. • Many will celebrate Requiem Masses or Masses for the Dead in his honor. • The parish might ring its bells in a funeral toll or stay open for extra hours for prayer and reflection. 2. Liturgical Changes • Black or violet vestments may be used in Masses for the deceased pope. • There may be a temporary change in the Eucharistic Prayer: priests stop mentioning the name of the pope during Mass until a new one is elected (they might just say “the Pope” or omit it). 3. Signs of Mourning • The parish may drape black cloths or Vatican flags in mourning. • Images of the pope might be displayed with black ribbons. • A book of condolences could be made available for parishioners to sign. 4. Catechesis & Community Response • Pastors often use the opportunity to explain the process of papal succession (the conclave) and the Church’s teaching on death, leadership, and continuity. • The community may hold vigils or holy hours. Full step-by-step breakdown of what happens when a pope dies—steeped in tradition and ritual: 1. Confirmation of Death • The Camerlengo (Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church) officially confirms the pope’s death. • Traditionally, he calls the pope’s baptismal name three times, waiting for a response. • He then declares, “The Pope is truly dead.” 2. Destruction of the Fisherman’s Ring • The Fisherman’s Ring, which the pope used to seal official documents, is destroyed with a hammer to prevent forgeries. • His papal seal is also destroyed. 3. Bells Toll • Bells, especially those of St. Peter’s Basilica, ring solemnly to announce the death to the world. • Churches globally may also ring bells in mourning. 4. Vatican is Sealed • The papal apartments are sealed shut. • The Swiss Guard steps back from their usual guard of the pope, symbolizing that the seat is now vacant. 5. Nine Days of Mourning (Novemdiales) • There are nine days of official mourning. • The pope’s body lies in state in St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing and prayer. • Daily Requiem Masses (funeral Masses) are held. 6. Funeral • The pope’s funeral is held in St. Peter’s Square. • He is usually buried in the crypt beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, although he can request a different burial location. 7. Sede Vacante Begins • This means “the seat is vacant.” • During this time, no major decisions or changes can be made by the Church. • The Camerlengo runs day-to-day operations. 8. Conclave Preparation • Cardinals under 80 are summoned to Rome to prepare for the election. • They meet in the Sistine Chapel. • No one can leave or communicate with the outside world until a new pope is elected. 9. Papal Election (Conclave) • Cardinals vote in secret ballots, up to four times a day. • When no pope is elected, black smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel. • When a new pope is chosen by a two-thirds majority, white smoke rises. • The bells ring joyfully this time—signaling a new pope has been chosen. 10. “Habemus Papam” • A cardinal announces from the balcony of St. Peter’s: “Habemus Papam!” — “We have a pope!” • The new pope appears and gives his first blessing to the world.
He would certainly be a great pope. I believe the name John is on the radar because of the Johannine motto, "that they may all be one," at a time when someone is needed to steady the barque and care for the Church as the beloved disciple John cared for Our Lady. If anyone wishes to reestablish the true spirit of the Council, as Ratzinger did, this would be the name.
I like the name John because of the verses I found in scripture in relation to today's date and the number 60. John is associated with light IMO. Spreading the faith and bearing fruit would be Paul for me. A John Paul III would also feel like finalizing something that started with JPI for myself, a kind of symbol of climax and victory to a spiritual war.
I believe the chances are... This pope will be exactly the one the Holy Spirit chooses I sure wish it would be one of those rare times that God plucks a Pope out of absolute obscurity, like, not even a bishop or cardinal, but some holy young priest that will set the world on fire!
I'm hoping for a Pius XIII! This obsolete Council needs to be put behind us. Dare I say it, it has outlived its uselessness (not a typo). Back to the Future.
Currently Pope Francis' appointees are in the lead in terms of speculation. But I think there will have to be a kind of compromise between globalists and conservatives in order to get 2/3 of the vote. So, I believe you will get your wish in that it will be someone who is more obscure.
My dream would be for Cdl Sarah to be elected and become Leo XIV. I love Leo XIII, but must be realistic. Cdl Pizzaballa is perhaps the best we can hope for. I agree it’s time to stop going on about Vatican II as if it was the only council that ever was. Time to rediscover the riches of our faith!
