At a Mass celebrated for the second day of the Novemdiales — the traditional nine days of mourning following the death of Pope Francis — Cardinal Pietro Parolin called on Christians to find peace by turning toward the boundless mercy of Christ. Speaking during the liturgy on Divine Mercy Sunday, Cardinal Parolin reflected on the deep sadness enveloping the Church, drawing a parallel between the grief felt by the Apostles after the death of Jesus and the sorrow Christians now experience at the passing of Pope Francis.

He described how the current mood mirrors that Upper Room scene: the sense of loss, confusion, and pain. Yet, he said, it is precisely in moments of darkness that Christ reveals His risen glory, shining His light into the depths of troubled hearts. Cardinal Parolin recalled how Pope Francis, since his election, consistently centered his ministry on the joy found in the Gospel — a joy that continues to guide the faithful even amid mourning.

The Mass, attended by many young people participating in the Jubilee for Teenagers, carried a message of hope. Cardinal Parolin encouraged the youth to embrace the joy of the Resurrection despite the sorrow of farewell, assuring them that Jesus gives strength and courage to continue living fully.

He emphasized that Pope Francis placed immense importance on God's inexhaustible mercy, a mercy that not only uplifts but transforms and renews. Love for the late Pope, he said, must go beyond a passing emotional tribute; it must inspire believers to weave mercy into their own lives, both by receiving it and by offering it to others.

Mercy, the Cardinal affirmed, draws Christians back to the very core of their faith, shaping the way they understand their relationship with God and their mission as the Church. He spoke of the Gospel as a proclamation of a love that asks for nothing in return — a divine tenderness that picks us up when we fall and gives us the strength to move forward.

Having served closely with Pope Francis as Secretary of State, Cardinal Parolin testified that only mercy has the power to heal wounds, extinguish hatred, and lay the foundations for a new and better world. He pointed to the Church’s calling to be an instrument of divine mercy, reaching out to a hurting world with compassion and forgiveness, a vision Pope Francis lived out with profound tenderness and sincerity.

Peace, he reminded the congregation, can only take root where there is a willingness to recognize the dignity of others and to extend forgiveness. In closing, Cardinal Parolin expressed gratitude to all those serving the Roman Curia and Vatican City, recognizing their devotion and dedication. Entrusting everyone to the Blessed Virgin Mary — to whom Pope Francis had a deep and abiding devotion, choosing to be laid to rest in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major — Cardinal Parolin prayed that she would watch over the Church and guide humanity toward peace and unity.