Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025.

Pray for the repose of his soul. Nine days of mourning will end on May 4th.

Here is a message from Bishop Folda about Pope Francis’ death:

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I’m sure you join me in mourning the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. It was a joy to see him at St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday, and also a great surprise to hear of his death on Easter Monday. He was the spiritual father of our Church family, and needless to say, he will be missed.

From the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis urged the Church to look outward, to go out to those who are poor or distant from our Lord, and to welcome them with the joy of the Gospel. He reminded all the members of the Church that we are called to be missionary disciples, true followers of Jesus sent out into the world as his witnesses. And at the same time, he proclaimed the Gospel of mercy, God’s mercy towards us, and the mercy we must show to one another. In this Jubilee Year, Pope Francis also invited us to be pilgrims of hope, a hope that rests on God’s love and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Now Pope Francis has completed his earthly pilgrimage, and we pray for him as he goes to the house of the Father. We also give thanks for his loving service to Christ and his Church as our Pope and pastor. His warm spirit touched many hearts and communicated the love of God to the whole world.

I invite you to join me at St. Mary’s Cathedral on April 30 at 6:30 p.m. for a memorial Mass for our Holy Father. Let us pray that Pope Francis may share in the joy and peace of our Lord’s resurrection.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
+John T. Folda
Bishop of Fargo