On Sunday, May 4, 2025, the Catholic Church concluded Novemdiales, the traditional nine-day mourning period following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke that led to a coma and heart failure.

The final mass, held inside St. Peter’s Basilica, marked the end of the ancient mourning rite. It was presided over by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, senior deacon of the College of Cardinals, and attended by 130 cardinals from around the world.

“We have all admired how Pope Francis, animated by the love of the Lord and carried by his grace, was faithful to his mission until the extreme consumption of his strength,” said Cardinal Mamberti in his homily, which was later translated into English. “He admonished the powerful, that they must obey God rather than man, and proclaimed to all humanity the joy of the gospel.”

The nine-day observance began with Pope Francis’ funeral in St. Peter’s Square and continued with daily masses led by various cardinals. Each ceremony was steeped in centuries-old tradition and offered Catholics around the world time to reflect on the legacy of a pontiff whose 12-year papacy was marked by humility, reform, and a challenge to institutional rigidity.

With mourning rites now complete, the Church turns its focus to the upcoming conclave. Vatican officials have installed the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling preparations for the secretive election process. The black or white smoke that rises from it will indicate whether a new pope has been selected—black for no decision, white for success.

The conclave officially begins on May 7. About 135 cardinal electors under the age of 80 will enter isolation inside the Vatican to choose Pope Francis’ successor. The process will continue through multiple rounds of secret balloting until one candidate secures the required two-thirds-plus-one majority.

In the lead-up, cardinals have been meeting in general congregations to reflect on the late pope’s legacy and discuss the needs of the global Church. While cardinals over 80 cannot vote, they are allowed to participate in these conversations.

Among the attendees is Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, who shared insights into the spiritual tone of the gatherings. “In the general congregations, you don’t speak about candidates,” he explained. “You speak about the beauty, the graces of Pope Francis, and the challenges of the Church. I hope there’s a pope that is like Jesus, because the pope is supposed to be the Vicar of Christ on Earth.”

Recalling a moving moment early in Francis’ papacy, Dolan described how Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna was brought to tears by the new pope’s humble speech. “He speaks like Jesus,” Schönborn said. “I think that’s the job description,” Dolan replied.

As the Church prepares for this pivotal transition, the memory of Pope Francis remains vivid. His legacy of compassion, service to the poor, and pursuit of reform leaves a lasting imprint on the Church and sets the stage for the election of a new spiritual leader to carry his mission forward.