"The Franciscan community of the Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony and the entire great Antonian family joins the condolences of the entire Church for the loss of the dear Pontiff Pope Francis.
Deeply saddened, we wish to thank the Lord of life for having given him to us, for his faithful example until the end.
He was for us an attentive and caring father who supported us in our love for God and in the service of our brothers and sisters, especially the poor and the least of the earth!
We pray for him in the certainty that now he will keep us company from heaven and will still show us the ways to live the Gospel".
Father Antonio Ramina, rector of the Pontifical Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua, Italy
We also inform you that on Friday, April 25, at 9:00 pm (CET), a prayer for Pope Francis will be held in the Basilica on the eve of the funeral Mass.
The friars and the family of St. Anthony wish to thank the Lord for the gift of Pope Francis, and to entrust him to the Father’s mercy. The intercession of Our Lady, who was so dear to Pope Francis, will be invoked with affection, in grateful memory for what Pope Francis has given to the Church.
The friars of the Basilica invite all the faithful to join in prayer with the recitation of the Holy Rosary, which may also be followed live via web and social media through: https://www.santantonio.org/en/content/holy-masses-streaming.
In this period the Basilica of St. Anthony remembers our dear Pope Francis in the prayer intentions and Eucharistic celebrations.