‘Blessed are those who mourn,’ Pope preaches on All Souls’ Day

November 03, 2026

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass (video) in Verano Cemetery in Rome late in the afternoon of All Souls’ Day.

“Among the eight Beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew, there is one that touches us in a special way today: ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted,’“ Pope Leo preached.

“At this moment, we wish to pray for all those who have recently lost a loved one; in particular, for those from whom a loved one has been torn away by the senseless violence of war,” the Pope continued. “May the tears of so many mothers, children, and elderly people touch the consciences of those who have the power to silence the weapons!”

The Pontiff also quoted from St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Sun:

Praised be You, my Lord, through our sister bodily death, from whom no one living can escape.

Woe to those who die in mortal sin.

Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm.

 

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Further information:

• Holy Mass - Commemoration of all the Faithful departed (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 11/2/26)
• On All Souls’ Day, Pope prays that mothers' tears may silence weapons (Vatican News, 11/2/26)