Statement from Bishop Alan McGuckian on the Death of Pope Francis

It was with great sadness that I received news earlier this morning that the Holy Father, Pope Francis has died.

I know that my sorrow will be shared by many people across the Diocese of Down and Connor, and across the world, who were inspired by the humility and humanity of Pope Francis, his personal conviction of faith and his pastoral ministry to the vulnerable.

In recent years, as a delegate on the Church’s Synodal Pathway, I had the privilege of meeting Pope Francis who called everyone to the Gospel-inspired vision of a Church where, guided by the Holy Spirit, we journey together in faith.

Each Easter we celebrate and are reminded that, in Baptism, we share in the Death and Resurrection of Christ. In his Urbi et Orbi address yesterday, Pope Francis spoke these prophetic words:

“The Resurrection of Jesus is indeed the basis of our hope. For in the light of this event, hope is no longer an illusion…All those who put their hope in God place their feeble hands in his strong and mighty hand; they let themselves be raised up and set out on a journey. Together with the risen Jesus, they become pilgrims of hope, witnesses of the victory of love and of the disarmed power of Life.”

Pope Francis exercised this ministry of hope, a hope that was firmly grounded in the assured presence of the risen Christ.

I know that parishioners across the Diocese of Down and Connor will now be praying that, with the Risen Christ of Easter, Pope Francis will be received into the loving arms of God whom he served so well.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.

I ask that in every parish of the Diocese Mass should be celebrated on a suitable date and time for his eternal rest.