On Friday, April 25, churches across the Czech Republic will join in a solemn tribute to Pope Francis, ringing their bells simultaneously to honor the late pontiff.

At the heart of the memorial will be a mass held at Prague’s St. Vitus Cathedral, scheduled for 6:00 p.m., led by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Czech Republic, Jude Thaddeus Okolo. The service will mark a moment of unity and reflection, bringing together both the faithful and the broader public.

The Archbishopric of Prague has invited all parishes nationwide to participate in the bell‑ringing at the same time, a gesture that has historically been embraced by churches across the country.

Although Pope Francis never visited the Czech Republic, his connection with the nation was more than symbolic. Archbishop Jan Graubner of Prague emphasized the pope’s warmth and interest in the country’s religious and social life.

“He followed what was happening here and showed genuine care,” said Graubner. “He may not have come in person, but his faith and commitment to reconciliation—across ideological or theological divides—were deeply felt.”

Pope Francis, known for his efforts to bridge divides between conservatives and progressives within the Church, passed away on the morning of Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican. He was 88 years old.

In the next 24 hours, Pope Francis’s body will be moved to the Chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican guesthouse where he opted to live after becoming Pope, as opposed to the more lavish papal apartment used by his predecessors.

Francis’s death sets in motion the process of selecting a new Pope through an election known as a conclave, which typically takes place 15 and 20 days after a Pope’s death.

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