NI church leaders and mass-goers pay tribute to Pope Francis

The members of the public and church leaders have expressed “sadness” after the death of Pope Francis on Monday morning.

The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, said the Pope had been “showing immense courage and serenity against fragility and suffering.”

Catholics in West Belfast have expressed their surprise to hear the news on Easter Monday.

Sister Ursula Canavan said: “I just heard when I entered Mass. The priest announced that the Pope had died. Lord rests. He is in a better place.”

Archbishop Martin said: “He has been giving such a powerful testimony about the dignity of human life and resilience against suffering, which has meant so much, especially for those who fight with a disease or any other.”

In a Easter Mass held at the Clonard monastery only 30 minutes after the news was announced, many arrived without knowing the death of the Pope.

Father Brendan Keane said: “I even thought I knew that the Pope was very, very sick … I expected it.

“I will remember it as a great human being, a humble man, a generous man, a sincere man, a good communicator. He was not only admired, but loved.”

Many mass geers talked about watching the Pope on television only 24 hours earlier on Easter Sunday.

Frances Mcevoy said: “I only listened to the news when I come to church this morning. Someone said that the Pope had died. He gave me a bit of having seen him yesterday (on television).

“Then the duration of the Mass was announced. I am totally disconsolate, but it is a blessing for the Pope. Hello, obviously, I was suffering and was very weak yesterday.

“He will never be him like him, such a wonderful, merciful and very understanding Pope and pray for Him. He died at a beautiful time of the year.”

Mass attendees said that the fact that Pope Francis arrived in Ireland, in August 2018, meant that he had a special place in the heart of the Irish.

“We will never forget Pope Francis. He felt like one of ours,” said a man.

Father Brendan Kelly said: “I read the news on the BBC website. It was a big surprise actually after the last number of weeks.

“Through life, he had difficulties with health, but it’s sad.

“It is the end of a particular era in the history of the Church, and an era very significant.”

The Archbishop of the Church of Ireland of Armagh and All Ireland’s primacy said that he even thought that the death of the Pope was “expected” that he is still “shocked.”

Archbishop John McDowell also said: “I am very sorry for my Catholic neighbors in Ireland who have lost a great authentic leader.

“Someone who spoke with compassion with them, but not only with them, with everyone,” he added.

“There are so few people who can do that these days, who can speak beyond their own limits. So we all feel a bit decreased. I think because of their death.”

The people who celebrate Easter Mass in the St Eugene Cathedral in Derry also talked about their shock.

Terry Casey said: “Today is a sad day for Catholics around the world.

“He was a great Pope and made many important changes with which not everyone would have accepted. A sad day for everyone.”

Joan Casey said: “I think it’s very sad. He was a great Pope. And yesterday he was just out giving the blessing.”