Online Book of Condolence for Pope Francis

As the faithful around the world mourn the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception invites you to share your prayers, comments, and memories in our Online Book of Condolence. A Pope of the people, Pope Francis inspired millions with his humility, compassion, and tireless devotion. As the first Pontiff from the Americas, he brought fresh insight to the papacy, rooted in mercy, justice, and the embrace of the marginalized.

In tribute to his extraordinary life and ministry, Monsignor Walter Rossi, Rector of the Basilica, shared: “We give thanks to God for his 55 years as a priest, his 32 years as a bishop, and 12 years as Pope. A life of service to the Church and to God’s people, we remember him and strive to ‘go out to proclaim the merciful embrace of the Father’ as he urged in his 2015 homily at the Basilica. May he rest in peace and Our Lady usher him into the presence of her Son.”

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Please share your message below. All submissions will be respectfully reviewed before publishing and preserved as part of the National Shrine’s memorial tribute to Pope Francis.

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Displaying 161 - 180 of 1,329

May you rest in peace in the Glory of Heaven. Thank you for your Loving Care of us.

Linda Gordon

Houston, Texas

Thank you Pope Francis for visiting the Philippines especially Tacloban City.

Eternal rest grant unto him oh Lord and let perletual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Divinia Clavsno

Philippines

He always asked us to pray for him. May he now pray for us. I will never forget seeing him in the Pope mobile there in DC. May we continue to reach the peripheries as he did.

Antonia Garcia

Garland, TX

You put a smile on my face🙂

Jacqueline Brown

Thank you for leading your flock with such humility, love, and peace. You are an inspiration to all of us. Please continue to guide us. We love you. Rest in peace, Pope Francis.

Reyes Family , Maryland

Ronald Reyes

Rockville

Pope Francis,
Thank you for being a good example. May you rest in peace. I am going to miss you and I will continue praying for you.
Que brille para el la luz perpetua.

Haydee Varela

Santa Clara, CA

Siento tristeza por la muerte de el Papa Francisco porque era un hombre muy caritativo, generoso, feliz y ayudaba mucho a los más necesitados. Deseó y rezo para que Dios lo tenga gozando en el cielo y desde allí nos siga ayudando.
Papa Francisco, que en paz descanse.

Fernando Rodríguez

Fernando Rodriguez

Santa Clara, California, Estados Unidos

I’m heart-broken over Pope Francis death! Upon his election in 2013, seeing his face on TV the 1st time was like seeing my dearly departed grandfather (Gabriel) again. Then, at the Pope’s audience (in 2016 in person) I was, likewise, hooked hearing him pray and give advice lovingly in “Spanish.”—like my grandfather. I sincerely love and shall miss him. I believe he is worthy of becoming a canonized saint. May his soul rest in peace with the Blessed Holy Trinity & Blessed Mother Mary, the Angels & all our Blessed Saints in Heaven! Amen.

Beatrice Houston

Houston, Texas

Thank you for committing your life to God and seeking to lead his Church towards service of the poor and marginalized. May your soul rest in peace with Jesus, Mary, and the Saints forever.

Carl Baumann

Washington, DC

We will be hard pressed to replace the love and compassion you have shown us. We look forward to seeing the help you and your predecessors will provide to those of us privileged to carry on.

Brian Kabat

Stanwood

Thank you, Pope Francis. You were a loving father to all the world. I hope God, our heavenly Father, Jesus, Mary and all the saints and angels greeted you at the gate and welcomed you home. Peace and love.

Gail Outlaw

Santa Rosa. California

Rest well and thank you for being an exemplary servant! One who we should all strive to be more like daily! You will never be forgotten and I hope the next pope learns from your example and strives to be a reflection of Christ.

Angel Jones

Fort Wayne, IN

Dear, loved, Pope Francis,

Thank you for your humble leadership. Thank you for being such a loving pope, who taught us to love more.

Te queremos,
Matt, Sylvia, y Sofia Elena

Sylvia Rodriguez

San Jose, CA

We mourn your loss deeply and solemnly, Holy Father. Your enlightening presence will remain with us always. Although your earthly mission has come to a close, you will always be remembered each and every day.

William Funnell

Washington, D.C.

Pope Francis truly represents the people. He understood the true meaning of democracy and kindness to your fellow women and men. That we are all equal in the eyes of God no matter your background. He will be desperately missed, especially in the world we are now living under in this New Administration of Government in the U.S.

Angel Braveboy

Silver Spring, MD

Dear Holy Father I know you are in heaven now with Jesus Mary and Joseph. Please pray for all of us. We some how have lost our way. Help us to end the conflicts in Ukrane and Gaza. Help the aged and homeless and all those who are struggling with life. This I pray to you Pope Francis. AMEN

MICHAEL THORNTON

BARRINGTON,IL

I remember that I was home for Spring Break during my final year of college on March 13, 2013. Around 1 PM, I went to the computer to see the live feed from the Vatican, and I was so excited to see the white smoke. I went to the nearby TV and spent nearly two hours watching live the introduction of Cardinal Bergoglio as Pope Francis.

Almost 6 years later, I was in Panama City for World Youth Day 2019. After waiting hours in a large field, I lined up with hundreds of people alongside a road and watched Pope Francis ride by to greet the crowds before the Overnight Vigil. From about 15 feet away, I made eye contact with Pope Francis for about 3 seconds. In that moment, I realized a closeness to Christ, who gave St. Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, and that succession has continued through the ages to the person passing by me. It was awe-inspiring.

Paul Rubio

Oak Park, IL

You will truly be missed!!

Frank Reyes

Las Vegas NV

May your humility and mercy be the gifts we Bring forward until we meet again.

Alicia Wilson

Clarksburg, MD

May God's eternal light shine upon, Pope Francis and may he rest in peace.

Melissa Hamilton

New Port Richey

Pope Francis rides the pope-mobile in front of the National Shrine

Light a Candle for the Repose of the Soul of Pope Francis

As we mourn the passing of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, we invite you to honor his life, legacy and unwavering devotion to Christ by lighting a candle at Mary’s Shrine. Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis led the faithful with a heart of compassion, welcoming the marginalized and underprivileged with open arms. Your candle, lit in prayerful remembrance, will burn alongside hundreds of others in chapels and oratories throughout the upper and lower Church of the National Shrine.

Light a Candle