Books of condolence opened for Pope Francis
Books of condolence are being opened at buildings across Northern Ireland, following the death of Pope Francis. He died on Easter Monday at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta building.The 88-year-old was elected in March 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI stood down.In 2018, he became only the second pope in the church's history to visit Ireland.
Political leaders from across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have joined the outpouring of tributes to Pope Francis.A book of condolence has been opened at Armagh Cathedral for visitors. Meanwhile, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have opened online books of condolence in memory of Pope Francis, with other councils expected to follow suit in the coming days.
At the scene in Armagh, Cormac Campbell reports:Throughout the morning a steady stream of people came to St Patrick's Cathedral to sign a special book of condolence.Among them were Siobhan Keegan from Markethill. She said: "I felt it was important to represent the family. The rest are across the water. He was a very special Pope. A very humble Pope."He lived the way he wanted people to."
Kieran Grimes had come to the cathedral with his family, some who had travelled from Carlow. He said: "As I sat down it was the thoughts that came into my mind that I wrote. I hope there's peace and prosperity in the world. He was a good man."Doreen Lappin said she hoped the next Pope would continue Pope Francis' work."I believe he was a very good, humble man who tried to speak out for the underprivileged. If my faith has anything to do with being a Catholic it's that I'll aspire to. I hope his successor continues to do that. A voice for those who can't be heard," she said.On Thursday evening at 19:00 BST a special memorial mass will take place in the Cathedral.
'Genuine humility'
Speaking on Good Morning Ulster on Tuesday, Rev Trevor Gribbon, Clerk of the Presbyterian General Assembly and General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland said Pope Francis was someone who set a different tone.He said: "His genuine humility came across and I think that began at his election to office when the very first thing he said to the cardinals was that he was doing this as a sinner."Rev Gribbon said that although his Church differs with the Catholic Church, Pope Francis "taught us that we can differ well, and we shouldn't pretend to agree on everything.""He was a global leader who undoubtedly connected with many people throughout the world, throughout the Church and outside of it. He was an advocate for others, he usually always spoke with a focus on the poor and marginalised," he said.
Gráinne, Shéa and Grace from St Patrick's College in Dungannon, were part of a group from their school who made the pilgrimage to Rome in April.Shéa said that visiting Rome allowed him to deepen his faith.He said: "Pope Francis taught me to live a simple life, he wasn't up for a lavish lifestyle, he lived in a humble apartment and had a normal car so he taught us to be happy in a simple life."I hope the new pope will finish what he has started in reforming the church."Grace said visiting Rome was life changing for her."I was sad not to meet the Pope as he was unwell but it was a good experience," she said.She described Pope Francis as a humble man and said he helped to broaden her faith.She said: "Through social media he boosted faith with young people and talked about war and hope, and encouraging people to live in peace."Gráinne said: "I think he was a great encouragement for ones our age as teenagers, he always wanted to encourage us to take on more things like the Pope John Paul Award, to get in touch with our community and parish."
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Several arrests have been made and dozens of police officers have been injured during the sustained unrest in Ballymena, which also saw multiple properties and vehicles set on fire. Tense scenes as police hold the line close to Clonavon Terrace in Ballymena @PA — Jonny McCambridge (@McCambridgeJ) June 11, 2025 In the town on Wednesday, the PSNI deployed riot police for a third night in a row as hundreds gathered around the Clonavon Terrace area. At least one protester was struck by plastic baton rounds fired by police while officers also used a water cannon on the crowd. Officers used dog units and drones in their response to the gathering. Riot police with shields advanced on the crowd to disperse them down Bridge Street on to other roadways. They came under sustained attack as those participating in disorder hurled petrol bombs, masonry and fireworks at police vehicles and officers standing nearby. Rioters smashed the windows of a house on North Street and set multiple fires on streets in the surrounding area. The disorder and stand-off with police continued past midnight. The PSNI have also noted scenes of disorder in Belfast, Lisburn, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey earlier in the week, as businesses, homes and cars were attacked and damaged. By Wednesday, six individuals had been arrested for public order offences, and one charged. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he 'utterly condemns' violence which left 32 police officers injured after the second night of disturbances. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has warned the rioting 'risks undermining' the criminal justice process into an allegation of a sex attack on a teenage girl in Ballymena at the weekend. Stormont ministers have also made an urgent appeal for calm and said the justice process had to be allowed to take its course. First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly appeared together on Wednesday to voice their condemnation. Sinn Fein vice-president Ms O'Neill told reporters in Belfast: 'It's pure racism, there is no other way to dress it up.' Ms Little-Pengelly described the scenes in Ballymena as 'unacceptable thuggery'. With the protests focused in predominantly loyalist areas in Ballymena, Ms O'Neill said she did not believe it would be helpful for her to visit in the current context. DUP MLA Ms Little-Pengelly met residents in the town on Wednesday and said the local community are in fear and wanted the violence to stop. 'The key message here today is around that violence, and that the violence needs to stop, that's what the community wants to put across, and that's why I'm here to send that very clear and united message from right throughout the community and local residents for that to stop,' she said. The violence began around Clonavon Terrace on Monday night following an earlier peaceful protest which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. Two teenage boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged.
