The world was shocked on Easter Monday to discover that Pope Francis, the 265^th successor to St. Peter, had died. In these days following his death, the Catholic Church is mourning his loss, praying for the repose of his soul, and preparing for the election of his successor.

This Jubilee Year is a particularly appropriate time to pray for the happy rest of the faithful departed. I highly encourage you to offer a Jubilee Year indulgence for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, whose pontificate focused so consistently on the mercy of God. May Pope Francis, who strove to welcome those on the peripheries, be welcomed promptly into the beatific vision. 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. Amen. As we approach Pope Francis' funeral and the subsequent “Novendiales,” the customary nine days of mourning, may we continue to reflect on his legacy and pray for the repose of his soul.

During this “interregnum” — the time between the reign of one Pontiff and another — it is also vitally important that Catholics pray and fast for the election of the next pope. We ought to pray fervently that the Cardinal electors will choose a wise and holy pope who will lead the Church in both the charity and the truth of Jesus Christ.

The Roman Missal provides this prayer, which faithful Catholics can consider praying daily until the next pope is elected:

O God, eternal shepherd,
who govern your flock with unfailing care,
grant in your boundless fatherly love
a pastor for your Church
who will please you by his holiness
and to us show watchful care.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

As we prepare for the election of the next successor of St. Peter, there will inevitably be some coverage that misrepresents his role. Many falsely imagine that the pontiff can and should alter the Catholic faith to conform to modern secular norms. Pundits will try to predict (again) whether the next pope will radically change Church teaching. There will always be some who want to uproot the Church from those parts of Scripture and Tradition that are most challenging to us today.

As we pray for the election of the next successor of St. Peter, let us remember that his mission is to faithfully hand on and interpret Scripture and Tradition. As the Second Vatican Council explained:

This teaching office is not above the word of God, but serves it, teaching only what has been handed on, listening to it devoutly, guarding it scrupulously and explaining it faithfully in accord with a divine commission and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it draws from this one deposit of faith everything which it presents for belief as divinely revealed (Dei Verbum 10).

During this interregnum, I encourage you to pray fervently for our Cardinal electors. May the Lord give them the Holy Spirit's wisdom to elect a bishop of Rome who will serve, teach, obey, guard, and explain the Word of God in our modern world. Consider offering rosaries, Holy Communions, and days of fasting (especially after the Easter Octave) during this crucial time of decision!