At 10.00 this morning, on the Commemoration of all the departed faithful, the Holy Father Francis presided over Holy Mass at Laurentino Cemetery in Rome.

Upon arrival, the Pope paused briefly in the “Garden of the Angels”, an area of the cemetery where children are buried, and after praying before some of the tombs, he left a bouquet of white flowers.

The Eucharistic celebration then took place in front of the chapel dedicated to “Risen Jesus”. At the end of the proclamation of the Gospel, there was a moment of silence and prayer before the celebration resumed.

The following is the prayer recited by the Pope before the final Blessing:

Prayer of the Holy Father

In visiting the cemetery, the resting place of our departed brothers and sisters, we renew our faith in Christ who died, was buried and rose again for our salvation. Even mortal bodies will awaken on the last day, and those who have been laid to rest in the Lord will join with Him in the triumph over death. With this certainty, we raise our unanimous prayer of suffrage and blessing to the Father.

Be blessed, O God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in your great mercy has regenerated us through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead to a living hope, to an inheritance that does not decay or perish (cf. 1 Pet 1:3-4). Hear the prayer we address to You for all our loved ones who have left this world. Open the arms of your mercy and receive them into the glorious assembly of the holy Jerusalem.

Comfort those who are in the pain of parting, with the certainty that the dead live in You and that even the bodies, entrusted to the earth, will one day be sharers in the Paschal victory of Your Son. May you, who have placed on the path of the Church, as a luminous sign, the Blessed Virgin Mary, through her intercession sustain our faith, so that no obstacle may make us deviate from the path that leads to You, the glory without end. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.