The Catholic Diocese of Rarotonga, Cook Islands held a Requiem Mass for the beloved Pope Francis on Thursday at the St Joseph’s Cathedral, Avarua attended by more than 100 parishioners.

Bishop Reynaldo Getalado MSP, assisted by Father Jun Alimbuyong conducted the Mass which was accompanied by heartfelt singing as parishioners reflected and paid tribute to their leader Pope Francis.

Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; December 17, 1936 – April 21, 2025) was the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He was elected on March 13, 2013.

Upon his ascension to the papacy, the late Pope chose the name Francis in honour of St. Francis of Assisi, a 13th-century saint known for his poverty, humility, and peace advocacy.

In his homily, Bishop Reynaldo emphasised that Pope Francis’ name choice was indeed a unique event in the history of the Papacy as no other Pope had ever taken this name.

Bishop Reynaldo expressed that Pope Francis liked to be the instrument of love, reconciliation and peace - that is the model of St Francis.

He was the first Pope whose first visit outside the Vatican City, Rome, was to the Italian island of Lampedusa to underline the plight of migrants crossing the Mediterranean and the countless lives lost at sea.

According to the Vatican News, the Pope's coffin has been sealed. It was a private ceremony, attended by Vatican officials and some of the Pope's family members. The funeral Mass for Pope Francis will begin at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 26, (in Rome) in St. Peter's Square. It will be presided over by Cardinal Re and will conclude with the transfer of the coffin to Saint Mary Major, where the burial will take place.