Mass of prayer for Pope Francis in Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Diocese of Providence held a Mass of prayer for Pope Francis Friday.

Francis died Monday after having a stroke and experiencing heart failure.

Friday’s Mass was held at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence.

Mourners gathered to pray for Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence Friday, April 25, 2025 (WLNE).

Monsignor Albert Kenney, who has been running the Diocese in the absence of a permanent Bishop, said the Mass.

“As Catholics across the world, we wanted to really celebrate and pray for our Pope during these days of mourning,” Kenney said in an interview after the Mass. “I think that so many people loved Pope Francis. They saw something in him that they could clearly identify with.”

Monsignor Albert Kenney of the Diocese of Providence leads a Mass in prayer for Pope Francis, Friday, April 25, 2025 (WLNE).

A funeral mass for Francis will be held Saturday at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

The Diocese of Fall River will hold a Memorial Mass for Francis on Monday, April 28 at 7 p.m.

That Mass will be held at Saint Mary’s Cathedral on Second Street in Fall River.