Story by Obed Kankiriho
Kabale Diocese will tomorrow (Friday) join the global Catholic community in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, with a requiem Mass scheduled at 7:15 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral.
In a statement released on Thursday, Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira called upon all priests, religious leaders, and the lay faithful to come together in prayer for the peaceful repose of the late Pope.
The Bishop also urged priests to hold similar requiem Masses in their respective parishes and communities concurrently.
For those unable to attend the Mass physically, Bishop Rubaramira requested that they dedicate the evening to praying the Rosary for the same intention.
Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. According to Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Vatican’s Directorate of Health and Hygiene, the pontiff succumbed to a stroke, which led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.
He had a history of acute respiratory failure due to multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, hypertension, and Type II diabetes.
The Funeral Mass for the late Pope will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square and will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. After the Mass, Pope Francis’ body will be taken to St. Peter’s Basilica before being laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
The Diocese’s participation in the requiem is part of a worldwide outpouring of grief and prayer for a leader who guided the Catholic Church through a transformative and often challenging era.
