On April 21, 2025, we received the news of the death of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis, which touched the whole world and leaves the Church to proceed in choosing a new shepherd to lead it. During the twelve years of his pontificate, Pope Francis has shared words and gestures of attention toward us Capuchins: we recall, among the latest, the appointment of the Preacher of the Papal Household, Br. Roberto Pasolini. And, just before that, the words he delivered to us during our last General Chapter, which we quote here and now can almost perceive as his testament for us; it was also quoted by the General Minister in his initial letter of the sexennium: at the center be fraternity, of which I encourage you to make yourselves promoters in your formation houses, in the great Franciscan family, in the Church and in all the spheres in which you operate, even at the cost of renouncing, in favor of fraternity, projects and achievements of other kinds. Fraternity comes first. You are friars.
Let us take this particular time to pray, sustained by trust in God who continues to guide his Church, and uses the work of man to make the Kingdom of God grow. The Order of Capuchin Friars Minor expresses its intimate and fervent communion with the whole Church as it recalls with deep feeling the passing of Our Holy Father, Pope Francis to eternal life.
The memory of Pope Francis is shared within the Franciscan Family through a joint Letter of the General Ministers, who, in addition to weaving a grateful memory, invite us to raise prayers of suffrage. In this regard, we recall what the Ordinances of the General Chapters indicate, 3/2.2: Regarding suffrages, it is decreed that each fraternity shall celebrate a Mass on the death of the Roman Pontiff .
(Foto Propietà di Media Vaticana)