On the one-year anniversary of Pope Francis’ passing, the Catholic Church commemorated the late pontiff with messages of gratitude from his successor, a new documentary from Vatican News, and Masses offered around the world.
Speaking to journalists April 21 aboard the papal flight from Angola to Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV recalled his predecessor’s lifelong dedication to the poor and his message of mercy and fraternity.
“On this first anniversary of his death, I would like to remember Pope Francis, who left so much, who gave so much to the Church through his life, his witness, his words, and his gestures,” Pope Leo said. “He did so by truly living closeness to the poorest, to the least, to the sick, to children, and to the elderly.”
Pope Leo remembers Pope Francis on the first anniversary of his passing. pic.twitter.com/n5fJWFCqZL
— Zeale News (@ZealeNews) April 22, 2026
The Holy Father also highlighted Pope Francis’ emphasis on “universal fraternity,” describing it as a call for “authentic respect for all men and all women, promoting a spirit of fraternity, of being brothers and sisters, all of us, and of seeking how to live the message we find in the Gospel,” according to Vatican News.
He further pointed to Pope Francis’ focus on mercy, citing the late pope’s first Angelus in 2013 and a homily on the woman caught in adultery. Pope Leo described the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy as a high point of that teaching.
He concluded his remarks by urging prayer: “Let us pray that he is already enjoying the Lord’s mercy. Let us thank the Lord for the great gift of Francis’ life to the whole Church and to the whole world.”
In Rome, Vatican News, Vatican Radio, and L’Osservatore Romano marked the anniversary by releasing a 27-minute documentary titled “Todos, todos, todos!” — a phrase meaning “Everyone, everyone, everyone!” The film revisits key moments of Pope Francis’ pontificate, using the phrase as its central theme and drawing on archival footage to highlight his call for a Church that reaches the peripheries.
Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, celebrated a morning Mass in Pope Francis’ memory and invited the faithful in his homily to honor the late pope by following several examples from his life.
“Up until his final day on earth, Pope Francis encouraged us to pray fervently for the special intention of world peace,” Bishop Burbidge said, according to the homily’s text the diocese emailed to Zeale News. “May we honor him today, the first anniversary of his death, by recommitting ourselves to such prayer which is needed especially at this turbulent time.”
The bishop then pointed to Pope Francis’ holy perseverance through suffering, saying the late pope never complained or grumbled but continued his ministry faithfully.
“May we honor him today by uniting our crosses and burdens to the Lord without complaint but with trust in his healing love and saving power,” Bishop Burbidge said.
The bishop also recalled Pope Francis’ strong emphasis on proclaiming the Joy of the Gospel and sharing the Good News with others.
“May we honor him today by letting others see our joy in Christ and invite at least one other person to return to the Lord and his Church,” Bishop Burbidge said, “especially in this Easter season.”
The bishop also highlighted the Jubilee Year of Hope as one of Pope Francis’ final gifts, reminding the faithful that in Christ Jesus, “joy flourishes, peace abounds, and hope never disappoints.”
“In that joyful hope and with renewed Easter faith, may we commend Pope Francis to the Lord’s infinite love and divine mercy and pray that he may rest in the peace of the Lord forever and ever,” he concluded. “Amen.”
>> Political, religious leaders offer condolences in wake of Pope Francis’ death <<