Vatican City: Exactly one month after the passing of Pope Francis, his successor, Pope Leo XIV, offered a heartfelt remembrance at the conclusion of his first General Audience in St. Peter’s Square on May 21st. Standing before thousands of faithful, he paid homage to the late pontiff with words imbued with reverence and gratitude:

“We cannot conclude this encounter without remembering, with deep gratitude, our beloved Pope Francis, who returned to the Father’s house exactly one month ago.”

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. As the Church marked the 30-day milestone of his death, a memorial Mass was held in his honor at the Marian Basilica of St. Mary Major — the final resting place chosen by Francis himself. The basilica has since become a quiet beacon for pilgrims reflecting on his legacy.

Earlier in the day, a more intimate Mass was celebrated in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, the papal residence where Francis had lived. Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, Papal Almoner and longtime aide to the late pontiff, presided over the liturgy. In a moving homily, he reflected on Pope Francis’s humble approach to spirituality:

“He always prepared for daily Mass the night before, meditating on the Gospel and highlighting the words that moved him most. He would say, ‘If you don’t know what to do, search the Gospels. Ask what Jesus would have done in your place — and then you will know.’”

The Mass at Casa Santa Marta was concelebrated by Cardinal Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship, and Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, Archbishop of Łódź, Poland.

Pope Leo XIV, who had made a personal pilgrimage to Pope Francis’s tomb shortly after his own election, continues to acknowledge his predecessor’s influence. From the same loggia on St. Peter’s Basilica where Francis once offered his Easter blessing “Urbi et Orbi,” Leo recalled the enduring impact of the late pope’s message of mercy and humility.

The General Audience concluded with Pope Leo extending pastoral encouragement across diverse segments of the faithful. Addressing priests, he urged them to root their lives in the strength of the Word of God:

“Build your lives on Jesus and on the solid rock of His Word, so that you may be courageous proclaimers of it.”

He also offered prayers and blessings to religious sisters, parish groups, and youth, encouraging all to embody the Gospel in their lives:

“Dear sisters, I accompany you with my prayers so that the Lord may make your apostolic commitment fruitful… and to the youth, the sick, and newlyweds — may you always serve God joyfully and love your neighbor with a Gospel spirit.”

As the Church continues to mourn Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV’s words and gestures signal both a continuation of his legacy and a call for renewed commitment to the faith he championed.