Pope Francis dies on Easter Monday as NI leaders pay tribute to ‘man of great faith’

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”.

It comes as DUP leader Gavin Robinson said he extended his “respectful sympathies to all those grieving his passing”.

In his statement, Mr Robinson said it was important to “recognise the profound respect and admiration that many of our fellow countrymen and women had for the humble caretaker who entered the priesthood and died as the head of the Roman Catholic church”.

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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8 minutes ago
Christopher Leebody

Tributes to Francis from UUP leader Mike Nesbitt

Mike Nesbitt on Twitter / X
Condolences on the death of Pope Francis. A remarkable leader. pic.twitter.com/lcWN9nCQ67— Mike Nesbitt (@mikenesbittni) April 21, 2025
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9 minutes ago
Christopher Leebody
Colum Eastwood on Twitter / X
Pope Francis had a moral authority that came from his deep wells of human kindness, compassion and empathy for others. He challenged all of us not to look away from poverty, the marginalised & dispossessed.His leadership will be sadly missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis. pic.twitter.com/Glyhg5KiRZ— Colum Eastwood (@columeastwood) April 21, 2025
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15 minutes ago
Christopher Leebody

'Moment of deep sadness' over Pope death says Alliance Party leader Naomi Long

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said the Pope's death is a "moment of deep sadness".She said sadness over his death was "not just for Catholics around the world but everyone who wishes to be in a shared and pluralist society".“Among other moves, Pope Francis made overtures towards the LGBTQ+ community, criticising the rise of right-wing populism and anti-immigration rhetoric in particular," she said."He also put climate change at the heart of his papacy during his lifetime.“Despite religious differences across the world, Pope Francis straddled barriers in favour of social justice. The world has lost an advocate for peace, freedom and democracy with his passing.”
19 minutes ago
Christopher Leebody
Tony Blair Institute for Global Change on Twitter / X
Tony Blair's tribute to Pope Francis: https://t.co/aNOuKfPVvg pic.twitter.com/rAmybRksLe— Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (@InstituteGC) April 21, 2025
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20 minutes ago
Christopher Leebody

US Vice President JD Vance reveals Pope was 'very ill' during weekend meeting

US vice president JD Vance has said Pope Francis was “obviously very ill” when the pair met on Easter Sunday in Rome.“I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis,” Mr Vance posted to X.“My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.“I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.“But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of Covid. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul.”The pontiff had previously criticised President Donald Trump’s administration over their plans to deport migrants en masse, but in Sunday’s brief meeting with Mr Vance Pope Francis...
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