Michelle O’Neill pays tribute to ‘strong determined leader’ after death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday

Belfast Telegraph - 21/04
Northern Ireland’s First Minister has led tributes to “strong determined leader” Pope Francis after the Vatican confirmed his death in a video statement on Monday.

Michelle O’Neill said she was "very sad" to learn of the Pope’s death this morning and called him a "man of great faith”.

The news of the Pope’s death was announced this morning by Vatican camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

The senior official said on Monday: “At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.

“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.

“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised.

“With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune.″

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His death comes after months of illness for Francis, who had been recovering from a bout of double pneumonia.

Francis had only appeared in public a handful of times since returning to the Vatican on March 23 after his 38-day hospital stay.

Pope Francis waves to crowds at Vatican's Easter Sunday open-air Mass

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His passing comes just a day after he had emerged from his convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless the thousands of people in St Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile drive through the piazza.

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SDLP's Colum Eastwood calls Francis 'leader in every sense of the word'

Foyle SDLP MP Colum Eastwood has paid tribute to the Pope following his death, calling Francis "a leader in every sense of the word".In his statement, Mr Eastwood added: "His deep wells of kindness, compassion and empathy for others, especially the marginalised and dispossessed, gave him a powerful moral authority that went far beyond his role as head of the Catholic Church.“I know that people across our community, many of whom do not identify as ...
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