Pope Francis carried out the beloved Catholic tradition of visiting gravesites on All Souls Day. The Pope made his visit within St. Peter’s Basilica, praying before the tombs of a handful of his predecessors, including the first pope, St. Peter.
An indulgence, applicable only to the souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray for the departed in November. The indulgence is usually only plenary from the 1st to the 8th of November, but this year, in view of the pandemic, the opportunity has been extended to the whole month. (Check out our handy primer on indulgences, Part 1 and Part 2).
Among those who Pope visited are various pope-saints, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. He also visited the grave of John Paul I, who is set to be beatified soon.
With these images, join the Pope spiritually to pray for the souls of the departed.
Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
And today we celebrate...