Immediately after the funeral of the Pope, and before the conclave, the period of the Novediali, Nine days of celebrations in suffrage of the deceased Pope. The last time they took place in 2005, for the death of John Paul II, While in 2013 they did not hold why Benedict XVI had given up on the papal throne.
The celebrations are open to all and provide every day the participation of a different group, taking into account its ties with the pontiff.
«Such celebrations are open to all. They, however, provide, every day, the participation of a different group, taking into account its ties with the Roman Pontiff », explains theOrdo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificisis“This variety of assemblies shows, in a certain way, both the scope of the Ministry of the Supreme Pastor and the universality of the Church of Rome”.
What they are – The term novediali derives from the Latin Novem Dies. It is a liturgical period of nine consecutive days dedicated to the celebration of Masses in suffrage of the Pope. These are regulated by the Apostolic Constitution Dominici Gregis universes, The “regulation” of the vacant and conclave headquarters promulgated by John Paul II in 1996. The origins of these celebrations are however very ancient and even date back to pre-Christian Rome. The church “adapted” the structure of the nine days, replacing the pagan rites with Eucharistic celebrations, and making the nine -day period central not only for the novenas, but also to commemorate the deceased.
The dates and the calendar – They were decided on April 23 by the cardinals who took part in the second general congregation in the Synod classroom, in the Vatican. The first mass of the novedials is that of the funeral, which took place on Saturday morning, the last will be Sunday, May 4th.
Here is the complete calendar:
–2nd day: Sunday 27 April, 10.30 am, On the churchyard of the Vatican Basilica: the employees and faithful of the Vatican city. The concelebration is chaired by the cardinal Pietro Parolin, former secretary of state.
–3rd day: Monday 28 April, 5.00 pm, nElla Vatican Basilica: the Church of Rome. The concelebration is chaired by the cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar general of His Holiness for the diocese of Rome.
–4th day: Tuesday 29 April, 5.00 pm, In the Vatican Basilica: the chapters of the papal basilicas. The concelebration is chaired by the cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the papal basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican.
–5th day: Wednesday 30 April, 5.00 pmin the Vatican Basilica: the papal chapel. The concelebration is chaired by the cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Deputy Dean of the Cardinal College.
–6th day: Thursday 1st May, 5.00 pm, In the Vatican Basilica: the Roman Curia. The concelebration is chaired by the cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, former prefect of the Dicastery for the doctrine of faith.
–7th day: Friday 2 May, 5.00 pm, In the Vatican Basilica: the oriental churches. The concelebration is chaired by the cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, former prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches.
-8th day: Saturday 3 May, 5.00 pm, in the Vatican Basilica: the members of the institutes of consecrated life and the apostolic life companies. The concelebration is chaired by the cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, formerly pro-prefect of the Dicastery for institutes of consecrated life and the apostolic life companies.
-9th day: Sunday 4 May, 5.00 pm, in the Vatican Basilica: the papal chapel. The concelebration is chaired by the cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Protodiacono of the Cardinal College.
The news – the second typical edition ofOrdo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificisis It was approved in 2024 by Pope Francis. The fourth chapter of the liturgical book was dedicated to the provisions for the novedials. The new ritual shows four – and no more three – form of prayers of your choice, as all those offered by the Missale Romanum for the deceased Pope and that for the deceased diocesan bishop have been resumed.
