From the US Bishops: Pope Francis Novena Day 9. This novena has been prepared to help pray for the Pope during the time of mourning. The daily novena – lasting for the novendiales period from April 26 to May 4, 2025 – consists of a short reading from Scripture or some other ecclesiastical text and some brief prayers, including orations drawn from the Roman Missal and the Order of Christian Funerals.
The entire Church mourns the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. In cathedrals, basilicas, parish churches, shrines, and chapels the Holy Eucharist will be offered for the repose of his soul. Communities and individuals will ask God to bestow his infinite mercy on the man who served the Church as Bishop of Rome.When it is that we are not always certain what to do, turning to the Lord in prayer is a good thing. To be reminded of God’s love for us, God’s care for us. At the same time, as Pope Francis said in the response to the question, “Who is Jorge Bergoglio, he said: “I am a sinner.”
What this means is that an important part of who we are is our identity as believers. That we stand in need of a savior, who is able to forgive us for our sins. And so below is a novena, a prayer of nine days, or the novendiales, for Pope Francis. Each day of the novendiales we will feature a prayer, with a different theme of prayer for Pope Francis.
Pope Francis Novena Day 9: Successor to the Apostle Peter (May 4, 2025)
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
A reading from a letter to the Corinthians by Pope Saint Clement I
Having received their orders, the Apostles went out, fully convinced by the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, trusting the word of God, and assured by the Holy Spirit. They went out proclaiming that the Kingdom of God was at hand throughout the countryside and in the cities. They tested in the Spirit the first fruits of their preaching, and appointed them to be bishops and deacons for those who would later come to believe… Our Apostles knew also, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that there would be strife over the office of the episcopate. And so with perfect foresight, when they ordained those men, the Apostles gave them the mandate that when they pass away other proven men should succeed them in their ministry. (42:3-4; 44:1-2)
Pause for silent prayer.
Pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
— And let perpetual light shine upon him.
Hear with favor our prayers,
which we humbly offer, O Lord,
for the salvation of the soul of Francis, your servant and Priest,
that he, who devoted a faithful ministry to your name,
may rejoice in the perpetual company of your Saints.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
On the friar, you can listen to our homilies (based on the readings of the day) and reflections. You can also ask us to pray for you or to pray for others. You can subscribe to our website to be informed whenever we publish an update. And we have restarted our podcasts after a hiatus. You can subscribe to our podcasts on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Each day we will also publish resources pertaining to the upcoming conclave. You can find out outline of the conclave process, as well as a list of all the cardinals, both those who are over 80, and those eligible to vote.