Pope Francis has died - Ireland's leaders pay tribute
by https://www.irishcentral.com/author/kerry-o-shea · IrishCentralPope Francis died this morning, Monday, April 21, the Vatican has announced. He was 88 years old.
Dublin-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, said on Monday morning that he announced the Pope's death with "deep sorrow."
"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house 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 fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.
"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 the One and Triune God."
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Ireland's political leaders offered their condolences upon the Pope's passing on Monday.
"Pope Francis’ long and distinguished papacy was marked by his unwavering commitment to the principles of compassion, peace, and human dignity," Taoiseach Micheál Martin said while offering his condolences.
"He spoke out for the poor, the marginalised, and the oppressed. His solidarity with refugees, his calls for climate action, and his insistence on global peace and equality set him apart as a champion of justice in the modern world.
"Pope Francis holds a special place in the hearts of the Irish people. During his visit to Ireland in August 2018 for the World Meeting of Families, he was welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm that spoke volumes about the respect and affection in which he was held by Irish people.
"During his visit to Ireland, many will also remember Pope Francis’ expression of pain and shame about historic child abuse in the Catholic Church and his outrage about the failure of Church authorities to adequately address these appalling crimes.
"I had the honour of meeting Pope Francis in Dublin Castle during that visit and was impressed by his vision of a Catholic Church that is open, compassionate, and focused on the needs of the most vulnerable. He shared with us his deep concern with the issues of social justice and human rights, and his profound commitment to alleviating suffering.
"Pope Francis’s legacy is his message of peace, reconciliation, and solidarity that lives in the hearts of those he inspired.
"May he rest in peace, and may his memory continue to guide us as we strive to build a world that reflects his vision of love and compassion for all."
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Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris said Pope Francis was "a remarkable figure who embodied compassion, humility, and service."
Harris said: "Pope Francis' commitment to justice, peace, and human dignity touched millions. Through his advocacy for the poor, his calls for interfaith dialogue, and his focus on environmental issues, he was a beacon of hope and a voice for the voiceless. He urged us to care for the Earth as a moral responsibility, integral to the Christian faith.
"Pope Francis also worked to make the Catholic Church more inclusive, promoting reconciliation, unity, and compassion over division. His 2018 visit to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families was particularly significant, inspiring hope and renewal within the Church. His emphasis on mercy, healing, and reconciliation continues to resonate in our efforts towards addressing the challenges of the past and building a more inclusive future.
"Pope Francis' influence transcended the Vatican, offering moral leadership during times of uncertainty. His teachings on poverty, migration, and refugees remain relevant as we confront global inequality and division.
"Pope Francis bore his illness with great dignity and courage. As so many people in Ireland and as Christians across the world mourn his loss, we find strength in his message of hope, mercy, and compassion, which will continue to inspire us to build a better world for all."
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President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins said in part: "In paying tribute to Pope Francis' legacy, may we all reflect on the ethical approach that is necessary to tackle the many vital issues, including the serious danger of what he termed ‘the globalisation of indifference’, to which he drew the attention of office holders and their publics.
"There was a warmth to Pope Francis and an abolition of any distance between himself and those with whom he was engaged. In reflecting on his Papacy, I think of Pope Francis' own words in his encyclical Fratelli Tutti with regard to Francis of Assisi, after whom he chose his name: 'Francis felt himself a brother to the sun, the sea and the wind, yet he knew that he was even closer to those of his own flesh. Wherever he went, he sowed seeds of peace and walked alongside the poor, the abandoned, the infirm and the outcast, the least of his brothers and sisters.'"