Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill says Francis ‘strong determined leader’ as deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly offers her tributeKing and Queen express ‘most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathies’Vatican says Pope died after a cerebral stroke that led to ‘irreversible heart failure’
Pope Francis died at the age of 88 after a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican confirmed this evening.
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 during his visit to Ireland in 2018.
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.
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 during his visit to Ireland in 2018.
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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Cause of death confirmed
Pope Francis died after a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican has confirmed
‘Victims needed to see a stronger stance’
The founder of a campaign group seeking justice for victims of institutional abuse has described Pope Francis as a “hands-on Pope with a big heart”, but one who was ultimately “unable to tackle the legacy of abuse that has turned many Catholics away from the church”.
The Archbishop of Dublin has said that Pope Francis’s plea for forgiveness in 2018 for abuse scandals in the Catholic Church was an example of the “great mark of the man”.
TUV issues statement following Pope Francis’ death
A spokesperson for the party said: “TUV recognises that the death of the Pope is something which will be mourned by Roman Catholics across the world, including in Northern Ireland.
“Death is a reminder of the mortality of us all, no matter how prominent the individual.”
‘Francis made us want to be better people’: Former US president Barack Obama
Former US president Barack Obama has said Pope Francis “made us want to be better people”.
Sharing a picture to X of the pair smiling as they shook hands in the White House’s Oval Office in 2015, Mr Obama said: “Pope Francis was the rare leader who made us want to be better people.
“In his humility and his gestures at once simple and profound – embracing the sick, ministering to the homeless, washing the feet of young prisoners – he shook us out of our complacency and reminded us that we are all bound by moral obligations to God and one another.
“Today, Michelle and I mourn with everyone around the world – Catholic and non-Catholic alike – who drew strength and inspiration from the Pope’s example.
“May we continue to heed his call to ‘never remain on the sidelines of this march of living hope’.”
‘Pope was unlike any who came before him’: Former US President Joe Biden pays tribute to Francis
Former US president Joe Biden has said Pope Francis will be remembered as “one of the most consequential leaders of our time”.
“He was unlike any who came before him,” Mr Biden said in a statement posted to X.
“Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him.
“As Pope, he was a loving pastor and challenging teacher who reached out to different faiths.
“For decades, he served the most vulnerable across Argentina and his mission of serving the poor never ceased.
“He commanded us to fight for peace and protect our planet from a climate crisis. He advocated for the voiceless and powerless. He made all feel welcome and seen by the Church.
“He promoted equity and an end to poverty and suffering across the globe. And above all, he was a Pope for everyone. He was the People’s Pope – a light of faith, hope, and love.”
Archbishop Eamon Martin says heart filled with ‘deep sadness and immense gratitude’
In a further tribute to Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland said his heart is “filled with both deep sadness and immense gratitude”.
Eamon Martin added: “Pope Francis’ papacy has been a profound gift to the Church and World. On behalf of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, and the Catholic faithful on the island of Ireland, I extend sympathy to Pope Francis’ family members, to those who have worked most closely with him, and to all those around the globe who loved him and will mourn his loss.
“There was something different about this pope who came to us twelve years ago from “the ends of the world”. “On that very first night when he stood on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica, our hearts were moved as he greeted the people with a simple ‘Buonasera’ and asked us to pray to the Lord to bless him.
“Now we pray to that same Lord to show him mercy and welcome him to his eternal reward.
“The Catholic people of the world will mourn the loss of the late ‘holy father’, while thanking God for his tireless service as priest and bishop, and his courageous witness as servant leader of the Catholic Church. “Pope Francis embodied a Church that listens, accompanies, and embraces all.
“His vision was not one of rigid structures or distant authority, but of a Church committed to encounter and deep solidarity with humanity.”
UUP send condolences following Pope Francis’ death
The UUP leader Mike Nesbitt and deputy leader Robbie Butler have both offered their condolences following the death of Pope Francis.
Mr Nesbitt said the Pope was “always cherished by so many in this country, but Pope Francis clearly had an extra special place in the hearts of his people.”
He added: “I shall never forget the day he visited President Obama at the White House in 2015. In stark contrast to the President’s multi-million dollar motorcade, Pope Francis arrived in a small Fiat car. It was such a clear illustration of his humility.
“His sure-footed leadership was something all of us could admire, whatever our religion or faith.”
Mr Butler, the party’s deputy leader added: “His visit to Dublin in 2018 was significant for Catholics on this Island, but his humble, courageous and generous nature made the visit an opportunity for reciprocation from a diverse audience of which I was pleased to be part.
“My thoughts and condolences are with all those who mourn his death.”
Stormont Speaker confirms arrangements being organised for Assembly to mark Pope’s passing
Stormont’s Speaker Edwin Poots has confirmed he is engaging with political party whips to arrange how Stormont will mark the passing of Pope Francis.
In a statement from Mr Poots’ office, the Speaker also offered his own condolences.
He said: “As Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, I express my condolences to the many people in our community who are in mourning today.
“I will be engaging with the Party Whips to make appropriate arrangements for the Assembly to mark the passing of Pope Francis.”
DUP founder Wallace Thompson offers ‘sincere sympathy’ despite ‘fundamental and profound differences’ with Catholic Church
The DUP’s founding member Wallace Thompson has offered his “sincere sympathy” to those in the Catholic faith.
in his tribute, Mr Thompson said: “As an evangelical Protestant I have fundamental and profound differences with many of the claims and beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church.
“That is a matter of public record.
“However, I want to extend my sincere sympathy to all my Roman Catholic friends, both here on Facebook and elsewhere, who are mourning the loss of their leader at this time.”
Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister offers ‘sincere condolences’ to those mourning Pope’s passingNorthern Ireland’s deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has offered her own tribute following the death of Pope Francis, saying 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”.
“I know that his loss will be felt deeply, particularly by his church and the many congregations here and throughout the globe,” she added.
“I offer my sincere condolences to all those who mourn the passing of Pope Francis.
“May God give comfort at this time of grieving.”Duchess of York pays tribute to Francis
Sarah, Duchess of York paid tribute to the Pope, writing on her Instagram stories: “No better example of total humility in kindness and compassion.
“Thank you for leading us not just with words but with your unwavering service to humanity.”