Cologne mourns the loss of Pope Francis: A Pontifical Office of Memories

Cologne mourns the loss of Pope Francis: A Pontifical Office of Memories

On April 23, 2025, the Archdiocese of Cologne of the late Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, died at the age of 88. The pope's death came as a surprise, although he had been in health care since mid -February. The day before, he had donated the blessing "Urbi et Orbi" on St. Peter's Square, which underlines his connection with the believers.

In the high cathedral of Cologne, Archbishop Rainer Maria Cardinal Woelki celebrated a pontifical office in which numerous believers took part, including Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker and Consuln from Argentina and Italy. The ensemble of the Cologne cathedral music under the direction of Eberhard Metternich and Joachim Geibel musically framed the service, accompanied by the cathedral organists Winfried Bönig and Matthias Wand.

The message of Cardinal Woelki

In his sermon, Woelki addressed the motto of the Holy Year 2025: "A pilgrim of hope has returned to the father's house". He expressed his gratitude for the work and life's work of Francis and praised his modesty and proximity to people. Woelki emphasized that the Pope opened many spiritual and social patterns with his unconventional style, which stimulated to think.

Cardinal Woelki also spoke about the three central tasks of a shepherd: lead, protect and promote unity. Francis, as a lawyer of the weakest in society, tirelessly campaigns for poor, refugees, the sick and prisoners. His encyclical "Laudato Si" stands for his efforts to preserve creation.

Woelki emphasized that Francis also gave people a voice without faith or with negative experiences in the church. "The Petrus service of Francis was characterized by God's mercy," said Woelki. He also spoke about the power of prayer that extends beyond death and asked the believers to pray for the upcoming conclave in which a new pope is to be elected.

The legacy of Pope Francis

Bishop Dr. Georg Bätzing, chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, also expressed his grief and praised Francis as a great pope and brave renewer. Bätzing emphasized the importance of Francis ’encyclics and the synodal path of the church, which the late Pope initiated, most recently through the World Synod 2021-2024. Cologne's city dean Msgr. Robert Kleine recalled the service of Francis and also expressed his sympathy.

A pontifical frequency for Pope Francis will be celebrated on April 23 at 6:30 p.m. in Cologne Cathedral. The Pope's spiritual will was published, in which he expresses his wish to be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. His body is first brought to the Santa Marta chapel and later transferred to St. Peter's Basilica, where a requiem takes place on April 26th at 10 a.m.