A book of condolence is open in the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Felim in Cavan Town following the death of Pope Francis. Meanwhile, a Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis will be celebrated in the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Felim in Cavan Town this Friday night at 7:30pm.
Elsewhere in the region a Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis will be celebrated in St Macartan's Cathedral this Friday at 7.30pm. The late Pontiff is now lying-in-state in Saint Peter's Basilica. Thousands of people have gathered at the Vatican, as mourners file past Pope Francis's open coffin to pay their last respects. The 88-year-old died on Monday, after suffering a stroke.
Paying tribute to Pope Francis following his death, Bishop of Kilmore Martin Hayes said; "Pope Francis consistently advocated for the dignity, respect and protection of human life from the moment of conception to it’s natural end. He addressed the abuse crisis within the Church and asked for forgiveness from those hurt by that abuse. As a man of deep faith and prayer he has called us to engage with each other in conversations of faith on a synodal path and a way of walking together as Church dependant on the Holy Spirit."
Also paying tribute, Bishop of Clogher Larry Duffy said; "Through his preaching, his teaching and his travels, he gave witness to the values of the Gospel, the central place of mercy in our church and the need for us all to be people of hope, a hope rooted in Jesus Christ. He also placed great emphasis on the urgency of tackling the environmental crisis in our world and the need to prioritise the care of our common home. His great sense of outreach to the underdog, his emphasis on mercy and hope – all of this firmly rooted in his love of God - will surely provide us with a lasting legacy. This is reflected in the outpouring of love and sympathy at his passing."
