Unionist parties offer condolences at Belfast City Hall following death of Pope Francis
A special meeting of the council was held on Thursday evening following the death of the pontiff on Monday at the age of 88.
Pope Francis passed away at his home in Casa Santa Marta after suffering a stroke and subsequent heart failure.
A book of condolence has been opened at City Hall, while Thursday's meeting was held following a request from Sinn Fein.
The meeting was opened with a minute's silence, while Lord Mayor Micky Murray offered his sympathies and condolences to those mourning the passing of Pope Francis 'on behalf of the people of Belfast'.
'His death marks the end of an era, and this moment offers us all a chance to reflect on the values and empathy, dignity and care for others that he often spoke of,' Mr Murray said.
'Pope Francis was a champion of peace and was the second Pope in the Church's history to set foot on Irish soil.'
DUP council group leader Sarah Bunting said: 'On behalf of the DUP group, I wish to extend our sincere condolences to the Catholic community in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and further afield on the passing of Pope Francis.
'While many of us come from different traditions and theological backgrounds, we recognise the significance of this moment for our Catholic neighbours.
'The Pope was a spiritual leader to millions, and his passing will be deeply felt by many families, parishes, and communities.
'At a time when Northern Ireland continues to work towards peace, stability, and mutual respect, we acknowledge the importance of shared understanding and compassion. Moments like these remind us that humanity and decency must always transcend division.
'We offer our sympathies to those in mourning, and trust that your faith will be a source of comfort and strength in the days ahead.'
Sinn Fein's Ryan Murphy said, throughout his papacy, Francis 'focused on speaking out in favour of the disadvantaged'.
He added: 'When asked about the sexuality of priests, he famously said: ''Who am I to judge?'
'He spoke out against climate change and the impact that capitalism has had on creating a polluted wasteland full of debris, desolation and filth in the pursuit of power.'
Mr Murphy added that the late Pope was 'an avid champion of peace and peace-building'.
'He rightly called out the Russian invasion of Ukraine and consistently called for peace between those two countries,' he said.
'And likewise, when it came to what was going on at the moment in Palestine, he rightly called out what he described as Israeli terrorism on the people of the Gaza Strip.'
The Ulster Unionist Party's Jim Rodgers said: '[Pope Francis] came across, I never had the opportunity of meeting him, although I have met previous popes, but he came across as a very deep-thinking man, a caring individual, and one who would have gone the extra mile to try and bring people together.
'I think all of us should respect his tremendous leadership, the way he went about his business, and I offer our deepest sympathy to all those of the Roman Catholic faith.'
Mourners queue overnight to see Pope Francis
The TUV's Ron McDowell acknowledged the differences between himself and the pontiff but nonetheless extended his condolences to the Catholic community.
'The difference between a Shankill Road Orangeman and an evangelical, and the Pope - there's a gulf between the two,' he said.
'Lord Mayor, but nonetheless, I think of the people of the city that I represent as a civic leader, and I think of the people, those Catholics that have stood on conservative platforms with me.
'I think of the people that have come to me for help, whom I have helped with housing and am still helping, who may be heavy of heart this evening.'
SDLP council group leader Seamus de Faoite described the late pontiff as a 'man of great moral authority'.
He added: 'He was someone who used his position as head of the Catholic faith to reach out, to bring inclusion to people where quite often there had not been.
'I think in the context of today's world, that moral authority will be deeply missed.'
The Green Party's Anthony Flynn also offered his condolences.
'I'm speaking as someone who lost her faith a very long time ago, but I can humbly say that throughout the years I've had nothing but respect for Pope Francis and how he conducted his work over the past decade,' he said.
'Largely, the Catholic Church has been seen as a bastion of conservatism and protectionism throughout its recent history, but Pope Francis paved the way for modernising views, particularly regarding LGBTQ people and on women serving in the Church.'
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