The Diocese of Gozo has announced that anyone who wishes can sign the Book of Condolence for His Holiness Pope Francis, which will be delivered to the Apostolic Nunciature in Malta after the funeral on Saturday.
The book will be available today, Thursday, the 24th and tomorrow, Friday, the 25th of April, between 8am and 2pm, at the Bishop’s Curia in Republic Street, Victoria.
On Wednesday, the same day that the coffin with the body of Pope Francis was transferred from the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican where he died, to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Church in Gozo commemorated His Holiness Pope Francis with a ‘de Requiem’ Mass with a suffrage for his soul in the Gozo Cathedral.
In the absence of the Bishop of Gozo Anton Teuma, who is on pastoral commitments abroad, the Solemn Mass was celebrated by Mons. Tarcis ??Camilleri, Vicar General of the Diocese, who after the Gospel read the Message sent by Bishop Anton, in which he greeted Pope Francis as “truly a man filled with the Spirit of God,” who inspired renewal in the Church and further reflection in our world.
“As Maltese people, we continue to cherish not only his teachings and human gestures, but also the memories of his Visit among us three years ago, especially that at the feet of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu. These should serve as an impetus for us to continue to deliver the Gospel that he spread and preached with such power, which is the joy of the Church,” said Bishop Anton in his Message.
He invited Christians to “pray fervently for the whole Church, following the example of Pope Francis, so that she may be what the Lord Jesus has called her to be, and may concentrate all her energy on the essentials.”
On Wednesday, Pope Francis would have celebrated his name day, as his baptismal name was Jorge-Mario.
Photo: Diocese of Gozo