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 31 - 40 of 40

Dear Holy Father,

You left us as you lived: reaching out to everyone until the very end. You gifted us the Gospel made flesh in five powerful words: mercy, mission, encounter, fraternity, and listening. You showed us that God is a Father who never tires of forgiving, that the Church must venture forth and not settle in, that creation is a precious gift to be safeguarded, that every human being is a brother or sister, and that our journey is one of togetherness, listening to the Spirit. Rest in the tenderness of the God you so passionately preached. You have left us with so much! Your example spoke louder than words! Thank you, Holy Father! I owe you so much... Thank you #PopeFrancis #PilgrimOfHope

Jennifer Rios Hernandez

Woodbridge

Love service and humility are eternal

José Naul Ordoñez

May God grant our Holy Father eternal peace and may we continue to remember his example of dedicated service of love to all people.

Fr. Pete Elizardo

Corpus Christi, Texas

Prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. He shall forever be remembered for his humility and compassion. May perpetual light shine upon him and May he Rest in Peace. 🙏🏻

Ciro Zamora

Alice,Tx 78332

May Pope Francis rest in peace and rise in glory. He has inspired me to be a good and holy priest. I will miss him.

Fr. Vincent Castaldi

Washington, D.C.

May perpetual light shine upon Pope Francis and may he rest in peace. Sending my prayers and condolences!

Diego Trevino

Texas

Rest in peace, our dear Holy Father!

Bret Lee

Louisiana

Mil gracias por la bendición de su papado.
Humildad, servicio, presencia, compasión, coherencia, fe y alegría. Sobre todo, por enseñarnos a amar a Jesús, Maria y José. Por dar testimonio de que Dios uno y Trino, es cercano y existe en todas las periferias del mundo.

Maria Pimentel

Apex, NC

I remember where I was, watching him come out on the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square. His humility then, asking us to pray for him, was and is now, an example for us all. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Tim Dias

Virginia

Pope Francis's emphasis on mercy and forgiveness offered comfort and hope to countless individuals around the globe.

Joyce B

Florida

Mary portrayed as Mother of Mankind in Memorial Hall

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

Lighting a candle for loved ones or the personal intentions we hold within our hearts, is a longstanding tradition in the Catholic Church. We invite you to join us in this faithful tradition by lighting a candle at Mary’s Shrine.

Vigil candles burn in chapels and oratories throughout the upper and lower Church of the National Shrine. Each burning flame represents the faith of the supplicants and their fervent prayers entrusted to the Blessed Virgin Mary’s loving intercession.

We consider it an honor to light a vigil candle for you and pray for your intentions, which will be kept in confidence.

Light a Candle