Rest in Peace, Holy Father

 Lucy writes: It was a privilege to attend a Requiem Mass for His Holiness, Pope Francis, on the very evening of the day of his death, at Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane. The Mass was organised by the Latin Mass Society and celebrated by Fr Alan Robinson. The magnificent music was provided by the Southwell Consort.

Catafalque surmounted by the papal zucchetto; photo by Joseph Shaw

Pope Francis had no love for the traditional Mass, and the restrictions he placed on it caused many of those attached to it great pain. It was therefore doubly impressive and consoling to see the church packed with faithful Catholics on this occasion, come to pay the Pope their final respects and to pray for his soul.

The black cushion on which the white zucchetto rests was made by the Guild of St Clare

O God who, in thine unspeakable providence, wast pleased to number among the supreme pontiffs Francis, thy servant: grant, we beseech thee, that he who on earth was vicar of thine only-begotten Son, may for evermore have place among the holy bishops who in heaven reign with thee.