- Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, and Archbishop Dermot Farrell of Dublin, to host a media briefing at 1.00pm today in the Synod Hall of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh.
- Book of Condolences for people to record their sympathy on the death of Pope Francis is now available on the homepage of catholicbishops.ie, and on the Irish bishops’ social media platforms of Facebook, Instagram, X, and on BlueSky
- Link to video clips and addresses of Pope Francis during his August 2018 visit to Ireland
Statement by Archbishop Eamon Martin
On behalf of the people, religious sisters and brothers, priests and bishops of Ireland I wish to express sadness and our feelings of affection and loss upon hearing of the death of the Holy Father Pope Francis this morning. In recent days, and since he was admitted to hospital in February, he has been showing immense courage and serenity in the face of frailty and suffering. In this, he has been giving such powerful witness to the dignity of human life and to resilience in the face of suffering which has meant so much, especially to those who are struggling with illness, disability or any other difficulty at this time. Just yesterday, on Easter Sunday he proclaimed from the balcony in Saint Peter’s Square Buona Pasqua! Happy Easter! reminding us that Christ is alive. Christ is risen. Christ is our hope.
Pope Francis often said that the face of God is Mercy. In the coming days, we will remember him with thanksgiving and pray that God will have mercy on his soul and reward him for all the good work he has done.
ENDS
- Archbishop Eamon Martin is Archbishop of Armagh, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Dromore and Primate of All Ireland.
- Pope Francis attended the final two days of the 9th World Meeting of Families in Ireland, which took place from 21 to 26 August 2018, on the theme ‘Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World’. Its programme included:
– on 21 August, a National Opening of World Meeting of Families was held simultaneously in each of the 26 dioceses on the island of Ireland;
– from 22 to 24 August, a three-day Pastoral Congress was hosted in the RDS, Dublin, and this included a joyful and reflective programme of workshops, talks and discussions centred on the WMOF theme. This Congress offered an engaging programme which includes faith and fun activities for young people and children;
– following his arrival in Ireland today, 25 August, Pope Francis met with various groups, including survivors of abuse, civic leaders, the homeless, engaged couples, clergy and religious and, in the evening, he attended the Festival of Families in Croke Park stadium, Dublin, along with over fifty-thousand pilgrims. This Festival was a cultural concert set in a prayerful and community atmosphere, that included personal stories of faith shared by families members of all ages and representing five continents; and,
– on Sunday 26 August, Pope Francis led the Angelus prayer at the National Marian Shrine in Knock, Co Mayo, and was chief celebrant at Holy Mass in Phoenix Park, Dublin, with a congregation of over one hundred thousand pilgrims from Ireland and around the world, and this final ceremony concluded the 9th World Meeting of Families in Ireland. The tenth WMOF took place in Rome in 2022.