Starmer pays tribute to ‘pope for the poor’ who ‘never lost hope’

Belfast Telegraph - 21/04
Pope Francis was “a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten”, the Prime Minister has said as politicians paid tribute to the late pontiff.

MPs from across the political spectrum praised the Pope for his compassion and devotion to the Catholic Church following his death on Monday aged 88.

Sir Keir Starmer said Pope Francis had shown “courageous” leadership “in a complex and challenging time”, adding it “always came from a place of deep humility”.

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He said: “Pope Francis was a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten.

“He was close to the realities of human fragility, meeting Christians around the world facing war, famine, persecution and poverty. Yet he never lost hope of a better world.”

He added: “With his death, we are reminded once more of his call to care for one another across different faiths, backgrounds, nations and beliefs.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the Pope’s death on Easter Monday “feels especially poignant”.

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