Following the Holy See's announcement of the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, Archbishop Christian Lépine invites the faithful to unite in both thanksgiving and sorrow. He reflects on a legacy grounded in encounter and calls us to continue the Pope’s mission of affirming human dignity, fostering peace, and walking together in hope.
Saint Patrick’s Basilica to Honour Pope Francis in Prayer
As Montrealers continue to unite in mourning and remembrance, Saint Patrick’s Basilica—one of the city’s most storied Catholic landmarks and a longtime spiritual home for English-speaking faithful—will hold a solemn morning of prayer and Mass for Pope Francis on Apr. 25.
Memorial Mass for Pope Francis at Saint Joseph’s – Apr. 25
On the eve of his funeral in Rome, Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal will host a memorial Mass for Pope Francis on Friday, Apr. 25. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with readings from his writings, followed by Mass at 7:30 p.m. Click below for more details.
Archbishop Christian Lépine will preside at a memorial Mass for Pope Francis on Saturday, Apr. 26 at 10 a.m. in Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral. Coinciding with his funeral in Rome, the liturgy will be livestreamed to invite prayerful communion with Catholics worldwide.
Funeral of Pope Francis: Livestream and Details of the Liturgical Celebration
Join the global Catholic community in prayer for the funeral of Pope Francis, to be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Rome time (4:00 a.m. EDT, Montreal time) in St. Peter’s Square. The Mass, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will be livestreamed in several languages by the Vatican. Following the ceremony, Pope Francis will be laid to rest in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, in accordance with his personal wishes.
Join the Archdiocese of Montreal for a Requiem Mass, presided by Archbishop Christian Lépine, in honour of Pope Francis. The Mass will be followed by a vigil led by young people from the Mission Jeunesse-Youth Ministry Network, reflecting on his life and service to the Church.
Proposed Bridge Illumination to Honour Pope Francis
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada has proposed illuminating the Samuel-De Champlain Bridge in purple on Apr. 26—the date of Pope Francis’ funeral—as a symbolic gesture of mourning. Final details are under consideration and will be confirmed shortly.
Montreal’s Catholic Community Responds with Gratitude and Prayer, as Tributes Multiply Across the Media
In the wake of Pope Francis’ passing, the Church in Montreal joins Catholics worldwide in mourning a beloved shepherd whose witness to humility, compassion, and synodality deeply resonated with this generation. The Archdiocese’s pastoral response—marked by prayer, presence, and a spirit of gratitude—has echoed throughout the city and across media platforms, where a growing number of stories have highlighted the Pope’s enduring legacy and the voices of local faithful.
In a moving tribute, the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network thanks Pope Francis for his life, his witness, and his tireless encouragement to pray for the world’s needs. Through his monthly video intentions, he has invited millions to join him in facing the great challenges of humanity and the mission of the Church, teaching us to draw compassion from the Heart of Christ and to respond with faith and action.
The first Pope of the Americas Jorge Mario Bergoglio hails from Argentina. The 76-year-old Jesuit Archbishop of Buenos Aires is a prominent figure throughout the continent, yet remains a simple pastor who is deeply loved by his diocese, throughout which he has travelled extensively on the underground and by bus during the 15 years of his episcopal ministry. “My people are poor and I am one of them”, he has said more than once, explaining his decision to live in an apartment and cook his own supper... Click below for more.
Pope Francis has decided to keep his previous coat of arms, chosen at the time of his episcopal consecration and marked by linear simplicity. The blue shield is surmounted by the symbols of papal dignity, the same as those used by his Predecessor Benedict XVI (the mitre above crossed keys of gold and silver, bound by the red cord)... To find out more about the meaning of Pope Francis' coat of arms, click on the button below.
Papal Visit Marks Step Toward Healing
From July 24–29, 2022, Pope Francis visited Canada to engage with Indigenous communities, acknowledge the Church’s role in colonization, and foster healing—a profound moment of pastoral presence, humility, and shared hope on this historic journey.
Here are some photos from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops taken during Pope Francis' Penitential Pilgrimage to Canada.
The following are some memorable photos with Pope Francis. This section will be updated with more photos, so please consult it regularly.