The Holy Father entered into eternal life on the morning of April 21, 2025.
When the news first broke, many Catholics around the world took to social media to respond to the news of the Holy Father’s death, the impact he had on their lives, and the beautiful memories they have of his 12-year-long pontificate.
Father John S. Hogan, OCDS, shared an interesting connection between the death of the Holy Father and the Doctor of the church, Saint Catherine of Siena.
Here is Father Hogan’s post on X:
It has been pointed out to me that Pope Francis has died on the first day of the novena to St Catherine of Siena. Give her role in guiding popes & the reform of the Church, it would be most fitting to pray to her for Francis, for the Church in these days & the coming conclave. pic.twitter.com/s6M8FL0jlq
— Fr John S. Hogan, ocds (@jshocds) April 21, 2025
“It has been pointed out to me that Pope Francis has died on the first day of the novena to Saint Catherine of Siena. Given her role in guiding popes & the reform of the Church, it would be most fitting to pray to her for Francis, for the Church in these days & the coming conclave,” Father Hogan posted on X.
The feast day of Saint Catherine of Siena is April 29.
Her novena is traditionally prayed for nine days leading up to her feast day. However, the novena asking for her intercession can be prayed anytime during the year.
Saint Catherine of Siena would be a great intercessor to pray for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul.
She greatly respected the Chair of Peter and played an important role during the Great Schism of the West (1378-1417). This powerhouse saint urged Pope Gregory XI to return the papacy from Avignon to Rome, restoring Church authority. It is also said that she had a role in pressuring his successor, Pope Urban VI, to address clerical corruption.
During her life, Saint Catherine of Siena wrote hundreds of letters to popes, cardinals, and rulers. She notably urged them to reject materialism and embrace humility. She is quoted, saying, “Be holy men!”
On Papal authority, Saint Catherine of Siena said:
"Even if the Pope were Satan incarnate, we ought not to raise up our heads against him, but calmly lie down to rest on his bosom. He who rebels against our Father is condemned to death, for that which we do to him we do to Christ: we honor Christ if we honor the Pope; we dishonor Christ if we dishonor the Pope."
Saint Catherine of Siena often prayed for the Pope. It is only natural that she continues to do so!
Here is the novena prayer to Saint Catherine of Siena:
Heavenly Father, your glory is in your saints. We praise your glory in the life of the admirable Saint Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church. Her whole life was a noble sacrifice inspired by an ardent love of Jesus, your unblemished Lamb.
In troubled times, she strenuously upheld the rights of His beloved spouse, the Church. Father, honor her merits and hear her prayers for each of us, and for our whole parish family dedicated to her. Help us to pass unscathed through the corruption of this world, and to remain unshakably faithful to the church in word, deed, and example.
Help us always to see in the Vicar of Christ an anchor in the storms of life, and a beacon of light to the harbor of your Love, in this dark night of your times and men’s souls. Grant also to each of us our special petition . . .
(State your own intentions)
We ask this through Jesus, your Son, in the bond of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.