Special Masses in NZ after death of Pope Francis

By CathNews New Zealand

April 24th, 2025

Special Masses are being celebrated in cathedrals as well as in parish churches in Aotearoa New Zealand after the death of Pope Francis.

Archbishop Paul Martin SM is scheduled to celebrate a Mass of Suffrage for Francis, Bishop of Rome, at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Wellington at 7pm on Thursday, April 24.

A Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis will be offered at 12.05pm at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Christchurch on Friday, April 25.

Bishop Richard Laurenson will celebrate a Requiem Mass at 11am on Saturday, April 26, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton. A livestream link will also be made available.

Bishop Michael Dooley invited people to join him at Mass to pray for the Holy Father at 5.30pm on Wednesday, April 23, at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Dunedin.

Bishop Steve Lowe celebrated Mass at 12.15pm on April 22 at the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Joseph and offered the Mass for the Holy Father. The Auckland Diocesan Memorial Mass for the Holy Father will follow his funeral, which is on April 26.

Catholic communities throughout New Zealand will be holding special Masses to allow people to pray for Pope Francis. At some churches, books of condolence have been set up. At the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Joseph in Auckland, the book of condolence is one that has been used for the deaths of several popes in recent decades.

FULL STORY

Requiescat in Pace, Rest in Peace – Catholic Diocese of Christchurch (Catholic Diocese of Christchurch)

Mass of Suffrage for Francis, Bishop of Rome – Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (Cathedral of the Sacred Heart)

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin (Catholic Diocese of Dunedin)

Catholic Diocese of Hamilton/Facebook (Catholic Diocese of Hamilton/Facebook)

Facebook (Catholic Diocese of Auckland/Facebook)

Auckland mourners praise Pope Francis (Radio New Zealand) (Radio New Zealand)