Statement from The
Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane,
Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida Upon the Election of Pope Leo XIV

The selection of Pope Leo XIV as the Successor of St. Peter is truly a work of the Holy Spirit, and a moment of tremendous grace and blessing! The Cardinal-electors have responded to divine inspiration and the devout prayers offered by the faithful throughout the world.

The selection of the 267^th Pope is a moment of great historic significance for the Catholic Church, and especially members of the Church in the United States and here in the Diocese of Venice, being the first Holy Father from the United States. As Catholics we are each being asked by this humble servant of the Lord to be peacemakers, and to prayerfully grow in our love for Christ and one another. Pope Leo XIV brings with him the strength and charism of St. Augustine, and the humanity and courage of Pope Leo XIII, who was an architect of many of the social teachings of the Church.

I ask that all the faithful of the Diocese of Venice join me in prayer for Pope Leo XIV and the sacred ministry entrusted to him. May God bless and guide Pope Leo XIV, the “servant of servants.”

Statement from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, click here.

Statement from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, click here.

Pope Leo XIV’s First Speech, click here.

“Chicago native Cardinal Prevost elected pope, takes name Leo XIV” (Catholic News Service), click here.

Photo Captions, left to right: (Left) Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has chosen the papal name Leo XIV, appears on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican May 8, 2025, following his election during the conclave. He is the first American pope in history. (OSV News photo/Murad Sezer, Reuters); (Center) Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has chosen the papal name Leo XIV, appears on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican May 8, 2025, following his election during the conclave. He is the first American pope in history. (OSV News photo/Guglielmo Mangiapane, Reuters); (Right) Men wave a U.S. flag as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has chosen the papal name Leo XIV, appears on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican May 8, 2025, following his election during the conclave. He is the first American pope in history. (OSV News photo/Eloisa Lopez, Reuters)

__________________________________________________________

The Conclave.

Live from Saint Peter’s Square! Watch!

FIRST VOTE, MAY 7, 2025 (Afternoon)	Black smoke signals end of the first day of conclave. No Pope was elected after the first ballot of the conclave to elect the 267th Pope.
SECOND VOTE, MAY 8, 2025 (Morning 1)	No Pope was elected.
THIRD VOTE, MAY 8, 2025 (Morning 2)	No Pope was elected.
FOURTH VOTE, MAY 8, 2025 (Afternoon)	White smoke! The College of Cardinals has elected the 267th successor of St. Peter the Apostle. Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, who has taken the name Leo XIV, was elected on May 8, 2025.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

In Memoriam. Pope Francis, 1936 – 2025.

A Mass for Pope Francis was celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Venice on Thursday, April 24, 2025. A video of Bishop Dewane’s homily from the Mass can be found above, which includes Bishop Dewane’s reflections and memories of Pope Francis; the complete Mass, which was recorded from the livestream, can be found here. Please join us in continuing to pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis, that God may grant unto him eternal rest.

Diocese of Venice Statement: Death of Pope Francis

Monday, April 21, 2025

Today, the Catholic Church throughout the world mourns the death of Pope Francis who passed away at 7:35 a.m. Rome time. Pope Francis served as Bishop of Rome from March 13, 2013, until his death. He was 88 years old.

A letter regarding the passing of Pope Francis from the Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, was issued this morning, and can be found below, and here.

The Diocese of Venice in Florida will observe the traditional Novemdiales – nine days of mourning – with daily Masses and prayers offered at Parishes throughout the Diocese for the repose of the Pope’s soul. Additionally, during this time, all Diocesan Catholic Schools will incorporate age-appropriate discussions about this momentous occasion in the life of the Church and include moments of silence and special prayers for the Pope.

Parish bells throughout the Diocese of Venice will toll at noon on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, upon official announcement of the Pope’s death. A traditional funeral toll calls for the bell to be rung once for each year of the Pope’s life: 88 times.

A Mass for Pope Francis will be celebrated in the Diocese of Venice by Bishop Dewane on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 1301 Center Road, Venice, Florida. All are welcome.

Regarding the Election of a New Pope, this will not be addressed until the close of the Novemdiales. After the nine-day mourning period for the Pope, prayers for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the Conclave and special Masses will be offered.

As a Catholic community united in Christ, we are profoundly saddened by the loss of Pope Francis. Together we pray:

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

Amen.

Media Contact:
Karen Barry Schwarz
Director of Communications, Diocese of Venice in Florida
schwarz@dioceseofvenice.org
941-441-1118 (o), 941-275-5183 (c)

This statement can be found in Word document format here.

Pope Francis with Bishop Frank J. Dewane (April 30, 2014)

Funeral Mass of the Roman Pontiff Francis, April 22, 2025

The Funeral mass for Pope Francis will be held in Rome, Saturday 26 April 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Local Rome Time.
Please see official announcement from the Vatican, here.

For additonal news from the Vatican regarding the death of Pope Francis, please click here.

For news from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding the death of Pope Francis, please click here.

For a statement from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding the death of Pope Francis, please click here.