Pope Francis dies aged 88: NI leaders and Royal Family 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”, adding that Catholics “right across the world, including here in Ireland, will feel his loss deeply”.

It comes as DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the pontiff was "held in high regard and admiration by so many, not only here in Northern Ireland, but across the rest of the United Kingdom, and Ireland".

Pope Francis Dies at 88, Vatican Announces

Her party leader Gavin Robinson said he extended his “respectful sympathies to all those grieving his passing”.

Tributes to Francis have also come from the King and Queen, who expressed their “most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy”.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the Pope’s death is a reminder of “his call to care for one another across different faiths, backgrounds, nations and beliefs”.

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”.

Tributes also came flooding in from around the world, including the US vice president JD Vance, who was one of the last world leaders to meet with the Pope at the weekend.

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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.″

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

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

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

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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