'A voice for the voiceless' — Pope Francis remembered in Kerry for his compassion and humility
Tributes have come from all corners of the globe for a man who many considered was a Pope with compassion for the poor and the ordinary church follower.
The Pope had been ill for some time after suffering bouts of respiratory illness. The Argentinian native Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected pope on 13 March, 2013
On a memorable visit to Ireland in August, 2018 as part of the World Meeting of Families, Pope Francis addressed decades of institutional abuse perpetrated by some church personnel in Ireland.
The pontiff visited the shrine in Knock and celebrated Mass in the Phoenix Park.
The Pope was widely praised for his conciliatory response to decades of hurt. During his 2018 speech at the Phoenix Park, the pontiff asked for forgiveness for the abuses in Ireland, the abuses of power, of conscience, and sexual abuses perpetrated by members with roles of responsibility in the church.
'We ask for forgiveness for all those times in which many single mothers were told that to seek their children who had been separated from them – and the same being said to daughters and sons themselves – that this was a mortal sin. We ask for forgiveness,' Pope Francis said.
In December 2024, the Pope promoted English Dominican Fr Timothy Radcliffe (79) as one of 21 men named as cardinals at a special consistory in the Vatican on December.
Fr Radcliffe has strong links with Tralee where he visited the Holy Cross Dominican Friary at Prince's Street during his time as Master of the Order of Preachers between 1992 and 2001.
Paying respects to Pope Francis, Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne said it was with great sadness that he learned of the death of the Holy Father.
Bishop Browne met the Pope in Rome in 2014 during a tour in honour of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty – the Kerry man who helped save hundreds of lives during the German occupation of Rome during WWII.
The Bishop described Pope Francis as a 'gentle shepherd' who led the people of God of the Church worldwide for the last twelve years.
'From the moment he chose the name Francis, following in the footsteps of Francis of Assisi, rooted in humility, he signalled a papacy of building peace, care for the poor, and love for all of God's creation.
'He constantly emphasised the need for all of us to take care of our planet, our common home,' said Bishop Browne.
The Bishop said St Francis alerted people to the 'Cry of the Earth' and 'Cry of the Poor', and all creation united by the love of the Creator.
'Pope Francis ever sought to be a voice for the voiceless, a champion of mercy, and a witness to the Gospel in word and deed, always on the side of those on the margins. He preached and lived God's Mercy for all,' Bishop Browne said.
'In his Urbi et Orbi address on Easter Sunday, his final day among us, Pope Francis gave us 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…Thanks to Christ, crucified and risen from the dead, hope does not disappoint. 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.''
Bishop Browne added his hopes and prayers that Pope Francis will now enjoy Christian hope fulfilled, eternal life with God the Father.
'Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace,' Bishop Browne said.
Minister for Children Norma Foley said it is with great sadness that she learned of the passing of Pope Francis.
She described him as a man of extraordinary compassion, humility, and dedication to the service of others - a man of peace.
'We are truly the lesser for his passing but greater for having had the blessing of his leadership and example,' the Minister said.
A special Mass (7pm) for Pope Francis will take place on Wednesday at St John's Parish Church in Tralee. A book of condolence is available to be signed.
Fianna Fáil Senator Mark Daly opened a book of condolence at the Dáil on Tuesday.
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