"He returned to the Father's house"/ KISH calls for prayers for the Pope

2025-04-21 12:51:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

"He returned to the Father's house"/ KISH calls for prayers for

The Episcopal Conference of Albania has shared a message of condolence on the passing of Pope Francis.

KISH calls on all Diocesan, parish, religious and every believer communities to pray for Pope Francis.

KISH announces that starting tonight, moments of prayer and reflection will be organized in all communities of believers and bells will ring in mourning starting from the moment of receiving this letter.

Full message:

As soon as the news of the eternal passing of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, who returned to the Father's house today at around 7:35 am, our minds and hearts turned to Almighty God in prayer for his soul.

We are reminded of the last months of his health suffering and at the same time his insistence on remaining close to his people as the Good Shepherd until the end, even during these Easter days. On Easter Day, he himself wanted to give the Urbi et orbi blessing as his last testament. He left blessing us!

Pope Francis chose to visit Albania on September 21, 2014, as his first European visit shortly after being elected head of the Church. During that visit, we all remember his words and then his continued care for Albania.

Pope Francis has led the church in these years through a deep desire for change and reform. He has become a powerful voice throughout the world, proclaiming the gospel of love to the poorest and most excluded in society. He has consistently raised his voice against war, armaments and the destruction of creation.

By word and deed he led the Catholic Church towards a more humble, simpler and more synodal form. We are grateful to God for giving us Pope Francis in these years and we pray to God to receive him into the eternal dwellings of his Kingdom.

As bishops, we thank all those who are close to us in these moments in various ways and forms. We call on all Diocesan, parish, religious communities and every believer to pray for Pope Francis. Also, starting from the evening of today, moments of prayer and reflection should be organized in all communities of believers and the bells should ring in mourning starting from the moment of receiving this letter.

May Christ preserve Pope Francis in paradise and grant him eternal light!

On behalf of the Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Albania. /CNA