Chapter 11

Pope Francis

December 17, 1936 – April 21, 2025

Pope’s Funeral Set for Sat., April 26

Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 1 a.m. (San Diego time) in St. Peter’s Square.


Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the liturgy, which begins a nine-day period of official mourning and daily memorial Masses.

Bells to Ring Locally

At noon on that day, all parishes in the San Diego Diocese have been asked to ring their bells for one minute as a sign of respect and prayer.

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Statement from the Diocese

The Administrator of the Diocese of San Diego, Bishop Michael Pham, released a statement on the passing of Pope Francis.

Read Statement

Parishes to Hold Memorial Masses on April 30

All parishes in the Diocese of San Diego have been asked to hold a Memorial Mass on Wednesday, April 30, to unite in prayer for the repose of the soul of the Pope, at a time convenient to their community. Please check with your parish for the time this Mass will be celebrated.

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Novena in Memory of Pope Francis

The novendiales period of mourning takes place from April 26 to May 4, 2025.

Pray Novena
Three lit candles with bright flames in a row against a dark background.

Historic Papacy

On March 13, 2013, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio became the 265th Successor to St. Peter.

Read His Biography

Latest News About
Pope Francis

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“May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven...”

(1 John, 4:12)

Read Pope Francis' Jubilee Prayer

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About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pulido’s coat of arms is divided into four quarters with wavy horizontal lines from top to bottom. The blue and white lines represent the Blessed Virgin Mary. They also suggest water, which alludes to Jesus washing the feet of His disciples and to the waters of baptism. The red and gold lines represent the Holy Spirit and fire. The colors also can be seen as referring to the Blood that (along with water) poured from Jesus’ side at His crucifixion, as well as to the bread (gold) and wine (red) transformed into the Eucharist. At the center is a roundel featuring a symbolic representation of the “mandatum” (washing of the feet), which he believes exemplifies service to all humanity. The roundel’s outer edge is a line composed of small humps; it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Diocese of Yakima, where Bishop Pulido served as a priest before being named a bishop.

About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pham’s coat of arms depicts a red boat on a blue ocean, which is crisscrossed by diagonal lines suggesting a fisherman’s net. This symbolizes his ministry as a “fisher of men,” as well as how his own father had been a fisherman. The boat is also a symbol of the Church, which is often referred to as the “barque of Peter.” At the center of the sail is a red beehive (a symbol of the bishop’s baptismal patron saint, St. John Chrysostom, who was known as a “honey-tongued” preacher). The beehive is surrounded by two green palm branches (an ancient symbol of martyrdom; the bishop’s ancestors were among Vietnam’s first martyrs). The eight red tongues of fire around the boat are a symbol of the Holy Spirit and a representation of the diversity of ethnic and cultural communities. The red of the boat, the beehive and the tongues of fire allude to the blood of the martyrs.

About the Coat of Arms

The coat of arms combines symbols that reflect Bishop Bejarano’s spiritual life and priestly ministry. The main part of the shield shows four wavy vertical lines on a gold background. These represent flowing waters. This alludes to his chosen motto and also symbolizes the graces that come from the Divine life to quench our thirst for God. The upper third of the shield is red because it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Order of Mercy, of which the Bishop’s patron saint, Raymond Nonnatus, was a member. The central symbol resembles a monstrance because St. Raymond is often depicted holding one. The Eucharist is Bishop Bejarano’s inspiration for his vocation. It was through the Eucharist that he received his call to the priesthood at age seven and which keeps his faith and his ministry going. It represents the call to offer oneself as a living sacrifice. The monstrance is flanked on either side by an image of the Sacred Heart, alluding to the mercy of God and echoing the idea of a sacrificial offering of oneself united to the sacrifice of Christ, and of a rose for Our Lady. It is an allusion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, and highlights the bishop’s Hispanic heritage.

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