Pope Francis passed away on Monday morning, leaving church leaders and the public in a state of sadness. Archbishop Eamon Martin expressed admiration for the Pope’s courage and resilience in the face of his illness. The news of his death shocked Catholics in west Belfast, with Sister Ursula Canavan mentioning that she found out during Mass and hoped he is now in a better place.
Despite the Pope’s declining health, many were taken aback by his death, including Father Brendan Keane, who described him as a humble, generous, and sincere leader. The announcement of the Pope’s passing during an Easter Mass at Clonard Monastery caught many parishioners off guard, with Father Brendan Kelly reflecting on the significant era that has now come to an end. The Pope’s visit to Ireland in 2018 had endeared him to the Irish people, with one man noting that he felt like one of their own.
Archbishop John McDowell of the Church of Ireland expressed his shock at the Pope’s death, highlighting his compassionate leadership that resonated not only with Catholics in Ireland but with the entire world. Father Paul Farren at St Eugene’s Cathedral in Londonderry reflected on the Pope’s humility and the impact of his tenure. Many attendees at the Easter Monday Mass spoke of their sadness and admiration for Pope Francis, recognizing the important changes he had brought about during his time as the leader of the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, an Irish-born figure, made the global announcement of Pope Francis’s death. As the Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, he played a key role during the period when the Church is without a pope. Father Michael Collins, who has written biographies about the Pope, emphasized the significance of an Irishman making the official announcement of the Pontiff’s passing, highlighting Cardinal Farrell’s role as the key keeper in verifying the Pope’s death
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