• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Pope Francis extends his hand toward the altar during the Eucharistic prayer as he concelebrates a memorial Mass for cardinals and bishops who died in the past year at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Nov. 4, 2024. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Pope offers Mass for cardinals and bishops who died in past year

November 4, 2024
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
Filed Under: Bishops, News, Vatican, World News

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Remembering the cardinals and bishops who died in the past year, Pope Francis prayed that after their loving service to the Catholic Church “they may exult in eternal communion with the saints.”

At the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope presided over a memorial Mass Nov. 4 for the seven cardinals and 116 bishops who passed away between Nov. 1, 2023, and Oct. 21 this year.

The booklet for the Mass listed the names of all of them, including nine bishops from the United States: retired Auxiliary Bishop Raymond E. Goedert of Chicago; Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville of Houma-Thibodaux, La.; Bishop Peter M. Muhich of Rapid City, S.D.; retired Washington Auxiliary Bishop Francisco González Valer; retired Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton; retired Bishop George W. Coleman of Fall River, Mass.s; retired Bishop Daniel P. Reilly of Worcester, Mass.; retired Bishop Edward J. Slattery of Tulsa, Okla.; and retired Ukrainian Bishop Basil H. Losten of Stamford, Conn.

The Lord is a “compassionate and merciful judge,” Pope Francis said in his homily, and “with this assurance, we pray for the cardinals and bishops who died in the last 12 months.”

“Elect members of the people of God, they were baptized into the death of Christ in order to rise with him. They were shepherds and models for the Lord’s flock,” he said, and having celebrated the Eucharist, breaking “the bread of life on earth, may they now enjoy a seat at his table.”

The deceased cardinals and bishops “loved the church — each in his own way, but they all loved the church,” the pope said. “Let us pray that they may exult in eternal communion with the saints” and “with firm hope, let us look forward to rejoicing with them in heaven.”

The Gospel reading at the Mass was St. Luke’s account of the “good thief” asking Jesus on the cross to “remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

At the end of his homily, Pope Francis had everyone at the Mass repeat with him the thief’s prayer three times: “Jesus, remember me.”

The unnamed thief, crucified alongside Jesus, “transformed his dire pain into a prayer,” which effectively was, “Carry me in your heart, Jesus,” the pope said. “His words did not reflect anguish and defeat, but hope.”

“This criminal, who died as a disciple of the last hour, desired only one thing: to find a welcoming heart,” he said. “That is all that mattered to him as he found himself defenseless in the face of death. The Lord heard the sinner’s prayer, even at the end, as he always does.”

His brief encounter with Jesus on the cross was transformed into an eternity at peace with him, which should prompt people to reflect on how they meet Christ, the pope said.

“How do I encounter Jesus? Or better yet, how do I let Jesus meet me? Do I let him meet me or do I close myself off in my selfishness, in my pain, in my self-sufficiency?” Pope Francis asked. “Do I feel like a sinner and let the Lord meet me, or do I feel righteous and say, ‘I don’t need you’ and just move on?”

Read More Vatican News

Building God’s kingdom requires listening, dialogue, pope says

Vatican studying possible papal trip to Turkey, Lebanon

Revealing Leo

Christ’s love is stronger than hatred, pope says at audience

Pope sets Aug. 22 as day to pray, fast for peace in Ukraine, Holy Land

Pope Leo appoints new bishop of Jefferson City

Copyright © 2024 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Print Print

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Primary Sidebar

Cindy Wooden

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Pope Leo holds the host up in both hands during the consecration Pope Leo’s Tears at Mass

  • ‘Miracle girl’: Baltimore native’s childhood cure from leukemia helped canonize America’s first saint

  • Analysis: At 100 days, Pope Leo’s papacy rooted in St. Augustine, reflection, unity

  • Sister Patricia McCarron, new schools superintendent, talks about what inspired her to become an educator

  • This Colorado teen died saving others in a school shooting — is he a future saint?

| Latest Local News |

‘Miracle girl’: Baltimore native’s childhood cure from leukemia helped canonize America’s first saint

Sun Meals Program a blessing for many

The homework debate: Is it time to re-think after-school work?

Sister Patricia McCarron, new schools superintendent, talks about what inspired her to become an educator

Project PLASE hopes Beacon House Square shines a light in Southwest Baltimore 

| Latest World News |

Bishops meet in Colombia to discuss future of church’s Pan-Amazon region

Federal judge blocks Texas 10 Commandments law from being enforced in some school districts

Building God’s kingdom requires listening, dialogue, pope says

Land transfer including Indigenous sacred site blocked again; Trump plans appeal

Vatican studying possible papal trip to Turkey, Lebanon

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Bishops meet in Colombia to discuss future of church’s Pan-Amazon region
  • Federal judge blocks Texas 10 Commandments law from being enforced in some school districts
  • Building God’s kingdom requires listening, dialogue, pope says
  • Land transfer including Indigenous sacred site blocked again; Trump plans appeal
  • Vatican studying possible papal trip to Turkey, Lebanon
  • More states move to copy ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ amid reports of inhumane conditions for migrants
  • Revealing Leo
  • ‘Miracle girl’: Baltimore native’s childhood cure from leukemia helped canonize America’s first saint
  • Sun Meals Program a blessing for many

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

en Englishes Spanish
en en