On All Souls’ Day, Pope preaches on sadness, hope

November 03, 2016

Pope Francis visited Italy’s largest cemetery on the afternoon of November 2 to offer Mass for All Souls’ Day.

Cardinal Agostino Vallini, the pope’s vicar for Rome, joined Pope Francis in concelebrating the outdoor Mass at the Cimitero Flaminio in Rome, as did two other bishops and the local parish priest.

During his extemporaneous homily, Pope Francis reflected on the words of Job (“I know that my Redeemer lives”) and said that the commemoration of the departed has a twofold sense: sadness and hope.

“A cemetery is sad because it reminds us of our loved ones who have died, it reminds us of our future, death,” he preached.

“In this sadness, we bring flowers as a sign of hope; even, I could say, of a festival – but later, not now,” he added. “With His Cross, [Jesus] has opened the gate of salvation, where we will contemplate God.”

 

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Further information:

• Celebrazione della Santa Messa al Cimitero di Prima Porta, 02.11.2016 (Holy See Press Office)
• 2016.11.02 Holy Mass in Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed (YouTube Vatican)
• Pope offers Mass for faithful departed on All Souls' Day (Vatican Radio)