A Requiem Mass for his Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away early this morning at the age of 88, will be held on Tuesday, 22 April, at 6:30pm at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, the Archdiocese announced Monday. The mass will be led by Archbishop Charles Scicluna and is open to the public.

The faithful are invited to attend this celebration to pray for the repose of the late Pope's soul. Diocesan and religious priests are also encouraged to concelebrate during the liturgy. The mass will be broadcast live on TVM+, Knisja.mt. and Newsbook Malta.

A book of condolences will be made available for the public from Tuesday at the Apostolic Nunciature for Malta in Tal-Virtù, Rabat. Meanwhile, churches across Malta will ring their bells until the day of Pope Francis' funeral, in honour and thanksgiving for his years of service to Christ, the Catholic Church, and all humanity.

Archbishop Scicluna, speaking on behalf of the Church in Malta, said:

"As the Catholic Church is currently celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must entrust the soul of His Holiness Pope Francis to the mercy of God. We must continue to remember the Pope as the great missionary of the Lord's mercy because his pastoral ministry has always been to be close to those in need of God's mercy."

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, became the 266th leader of the Catholic Church in 2013. He was known for his focus on mercy, social justice, and outreach to the marginalised.