Memorial Mass planned for late pontiff

December 31, 2022

Join us as we mourn and honor the late Pope Benedict XVI with a Memorial Mass this Thursday, Jan. 5 at the 12:10 p.m. Mass at St. Ambrose Cathedral.

Des Moines Bishop Emeritus Joseph L. Charron, C.PP.S. will celebrate and preach. 

Pope Benedict died Dec. 31 at the age of 95. He served as the bishop of Rome and the pope from 2005 to 2013. 

Pope Francis will offer the funeral Mass for his predecessor this Thursday, Jan. 5 in St. Peter's Square at 9:30 a.m. Rome time. Follow this link to watch the service live at 2:30 a.m. in Iowa or come to our website to watch the funeral.

If you can't join us at the Memorial Mass at the cathedral, you can join us spiritually and online by following this link .

Another Memorial Mass will be celebrated with Bishop William Joensen in late January.

What are we likely to see in mourning the death of the late Pope Benedict XVI?

• Locally, during a funeral Mass, we often see vestment colors of violent, white or black. It is customary for red vestments to be worn at a Mass for the Dead offered for a pope since we are mourning the death of the successor of the Apostle Peter.
• Church bells may be tolled 95 times to mark the number of years of the retired pope's life.
• The intention of the late pope should be included in regularly scheduled Masses.
• A memorial space could be established in an area of a church. it could include a candle, a picture of the deceased pope, and perhaps a book where the faithful could write their intentions.
• Black or violent bunting may be used to decorate the main exterior door of churches for several days.