World Church · November 6, 2026
Also published in Português (Brasil)
Pope Leo XIV Prays for the Dead at Verano Cemetery
Pope Leo XIV delivered a homily during a Mass for the dead at the Verano Cemetery on November 2, 2026. The ceremony took place at 4:00 p.m. local time, which corresponded to midnight on November 3 in Japan. The Pope addressed the faithful gathered at the site, describing it as a place filled with prayer, remembrance, affection, and hope. The primary purpose of the Mass was to seek the rest of the souls of deceased believers, with specific attention to those buried in that cemetery and those held in the hearts of the living.
The liturgical context of the day, which follows the Feast of All Saints, guided the Pope's reflections. He expressed a desire for the holiness and beatific life, already experienced by many of God's children, to embrace the souls of all who have fallen into a peaceful sleep. The Pope cited the Book of Wisdom to affirm that God can powerfully protect the souls of the righteous, noting that no torment will touch them. This promise of salvation served as the central focus of the prayers offered to the Lord of life for all the deceased faithful.
In his address, the Pope emphasized the assurance that the Father's hand protects the dead forever, allowing them to fully experience the living bond promised in the Book of Revelation. He referenced the Gospel of John to highlight that the good shepherd's flock will never be lost or snatched from God's hand. The Pope also reflected on the Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew, describing them as a self-portrait of Jesus and a path to complete life. He noted that the cemetery acts as a boundary between earthly life and the afterlife, where the risen Jesus speaks with particular force to those who follow this path.
The Pope specifically invoked the Beatitude for those who mourn, offering prayers for individuals who have recently lost loved ones. He extended this prayer to those who lost family members due to the unreasonable violence of war. He expressed a hope that the tears of many mothers, children, and elderly people would touch the conscience of those in power and cause the sounds of weapons to cease. The Pope also recalled the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, referencing the saint's addition of the Beatitudes to the Canticle of the Sun near the end of his life.
The homily concluded with a reflection on the unbroken bond between the living and the dead in the faith of Christ. The Pope stated that this bond is transformed rather than severed, and the faithful accompany their loved ones in their journey toward complete communion with the Lord. This communion is tasted in advance through the Eucharist. Encouraged by this hopeful faith, the Pope urged the faithful to await the day when the Lord will wipe away all tears, ending death, sorrow, and pain.