The Archdiocese of Mexico, led by Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, has announced a mass in honor of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. The Eucharist will take place at the Insigne y Nacional Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe at 12:00 PM. This service invites all faithful, religious communities, and priests to participate in a celebration of the Eucharist to pray for the eternal rest of the late pontiff.
In a heartfelt statement, the Archdiocese expressed gratitude for the life, testimony, and fruitful ministry of Pope Francis. Cardinal Aguiar Retes shared his personal experiences of having known Pope Francis closely, highlighting moments of communion, listening, and pastoral discernment they shared together. He emphasized the clarity of the Pope's words, his compassionate heart, and his tireless commitment to a Church that is close, poor, and missionary, describing these qualities as living signs of the Resurrected among the people.
Cardinal Aguiar Retes recalled the legacy of Pope Francis, who taught the Church to walk as a synodal Church, to care for the common home, and to never forget the most vulnerable and smallest among us. He stressed the Pope's openness to the cries of the poor and his courage to approach the existential peripheries where human suffering resides. The life of Pope Francis has been characterized as an incarnated gospel, a permanent call to conversion, fraternity, hope, and synodality.
As the Archdiocese gives thanks to God for raising Pope Francis as a universal shepherd, they trust that the Resurrected Christ, whom he loved and served with all his being, has welcomed him into the fullness of His Kingdom. Special prayers are offered to the loving intercession of Santa María de Guadalupe, to whom Pope Francis had a profound and heartfelt devotion.
Pope Francis's death has prompted significant changes within the Catholic Church, particularly regarding the upcoming conclave. With 135 cardinals eligible to elect his successor, the College of Cardinals now comprises 252 members, with 135 of them under the age of 80 and eligible to vote. This conclave will be held in the Sistine Chapel, where the electors will gather to choose the next pope.
The conclave will be particularly notable for its diversity, as it reflects a shift in the geographic representation of the Church. Cardinal Aguiar Retes is among the 24 Latin American cardinals eligible to vote, although this number is still far from the 55 European cardinals. Spain ranks third in the number of cardinals, boasting 13 members, while the Italian contingent remains the largest with 48.
During his papacy, Pope Francis redefined ecclesiastical geopolitics, reducing the European presence in favor of greater representation from other continents. The number of cardinals from Asia has more than doubled since his election, and the number from Africa has also increased significantly. This change indicates a broader representation of countries that previously had little voice in the Vatican.
Among the cardinals eligible to vote is Carlos Aguiar Retes, who was born on January 9, 1950, in Tepic, Nayarit. He has had a distinguished career within the Mexican Catholic Church. Aguiar Retes was appointed bishop of Texcoco in 1997 and later became the Archbishop of Tlalnepantla until 2017. He was named a cardinal by Pope Francis on November 19, 2016, and became the Archbishop Primado of Mexico on December 7, 2017.
Cardinal Aguiar Retes is known for his pastoral approach, combining intellectual depth with a passion for community service. He has worked closely with local authorities to promote public policies that reflect Christian values while maintaining an open stance toward dialogue and inter-institutional collaboration.
As the Church mourns the loss of Pope Francis, the Archdiocese of Mexico encourages all parishes to celebrate mass in his honor. Cardinal Aguiar Retes has called upon priests and religious communities to hold masses in their respective parishes, emphasizing the importance of coming together during this time of grief.
In a message shared on social media, the Mexican Episcopal Conference expressed their sorrow at the passing of Pope Francis, stating, "Dear brothers and sisters, with profound sadness, we announce the death of our Holy Father Pope Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome returned to the house of the Father." This announcement reflects the deep impact Pope Francis had on the Catholic community and the world at large.
As the Archdiocese prepares for the mass at the Basilica of Guadalupe, they invite everyone to join spiritually in prayer for the eternal rest of Pope Francis. This service not only honors the Pope's legacy but also serves as a reminder of the values he championed throughout his life.
In this holy time of Easter, as the Church celebrates the victory of Christ over death, Cardinal Aguiar Retes and the Archdiocese of Mexico extend their heartfelt thanks to God for the life and ministry of Pope Francis. The hope is that he is now resting in peace, embraced by the love of Christ and the intercession of Santa María de Guadalupe.
