Letters: Pope Francis was a peacemaker and voice of compassion in an ever more fractured world

Irish Independent

22-04-2025

He consistently called for an end to the Israeli assault on Gaza and for Palestinians and Israelis to be able to live in peace.
On the issue of the destruction of our global environment he emphasised the interconnectivity of the many issues facing humanity. He said: 'Our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing breaking point.'
Too many religious and political leaders in Ireland and elsewhere have been far too silent on genocide, war crimes, destructive militarisation and gross breaches of international and humanitarian laws that have been causing millions of deaths worldwide and huge destruction and suffering since the beginning of this 21st century.
Our world is already at breaking point, with millions of refugees and displaced persons dying while attempting to get to safety from wars and environmental destruction. May Pope Francis rest in peace and may all of humanity work together to end these multiple self-inflicted crises.
Edward Horgan, Castletroy, Limerick
Pope spared the church a repeat of spectacle seen after predecessor retired
Even though he had been sick for some time, the death of Pope Francis comes as a shock. Indeed, I doubt ­anybody who watched his Urbi et Orbi message on Easter Sunday expected to wake up to news of his death on Easter Monday.
Nevertheless, his dying in office marks a welcome return to tradition, succeeding to the papacy as he did in the wake of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. I am a fan of Benedict's, but his resignation painted leadership of the world's largest religion as being a temporal political position like some two-bit parliamentarian or president, rather than the divine, lifelong appointment it is supposed to be and almost always was.
By continuing in office until his natural end, Francis has spared the church a repeat of the nine-year spectacle that was the operation of two popes seen as being in ideological conflict with one another, with all the division and distraction that that entailed. I do not believe that Francis got everything right, but, because of him, the papacy has been vacated properly for the first time since 2005. May he rest in peace.
Killian Foley-Walsh, Kilkenny
Profound sense of loss on death of pontiff who was humble and courageous
The death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday has left me with a profound sense of loss. That he should die on the most sacred weekend of the Christian calendar somehow feels deeply symbolic. He was a man of immense humility, generosity and quiet courage.
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The news was formally announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, originally from Dublin, in his capacity as Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber. That an Irish voice should mark the end of such a remarkable papacy was a moment of quiet poignancy.
I will never forget the story from Pope Francis's first night in the Vatican. Learning that a young Swiss Guard had stood outside his door all night, the Pope invited him in for breakfast. The guard hesitated, afraid he'd be reprimanded. Francis looked at him and asked: 'And who is your boss?'
He loved people, especially pilgrims. When a group of Argentinians offered him a drink, he took a sip. A Swiss Guard warned him: 'Your Holiness, it could be poisoned.' The Pope simply smiled and said: 'But they're pilgrims, not cardinals.'
To me, he was the most radical world leader of my lifetime – not because he sought power, but because he made compassion compelling. He changed how we looked at one another. He will be deeply and sadly missed.
Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh
Ireland aligns with Martin Luther King's vision more than America ever will
The editorial 'The light at the heart of Easter is found in our common humanity' (Irish Independent, April 19) began with the words of an American hero, and some would say, an American saint: Martin Luther King.
Yet embedded in the editorial itself are references to the human carnage caused by the American war machine, which was denounced by MLK during his lifetime, specifically the evil caused by US taxpayer dollars and weapons in Vietnam.
The Republic of Ireland's entire foreign policy portfolio towards the global community – one of proactive engagement to bring peace and protection to all God's children – is in full accord with MLK's dream, while US foreign policy remains anchored in destructive selfishness, devouring the children of Gaza with as much ease and dispatch as it devoured the lives of US soldiers and civilians in the post-9/11 wars.
Without a moral anchor to guide our way in the world, the American foreign policy portfolio is but a mirror image of American domestic economic interests, and open to the highest bidder. Thus the American flag, intended to illuminate certain political principles, operates more like a business signpost waving in the wind. The Trump presidency is just the ultimate fulfilment of that signpost, not the origin of it.
Perhaps when the people and Government of Ireland decide to extend a hand of welcome to the citizens of this world who wish to partake in its holy endeavour to bring peace and stability to our planet, many nations of the world will formally join it.
Indeed, a Commonwealth of Ireland may be just the moral lifeline that millions of Americans will cling to so as to fulfil MLK's dream of peace for all humankind.
Timothy Villareal, Miami, Florida USA
Perhaps Housing Minister should be invited to attend teachers' conferences
Your editorial 'Housing crisis must be the top priority at teachers' conferences' (Irish Independent, April 21) – indeed it should be, but it would be a poor reflection on both education and housing if it was the only priority.
I don't see the Housing Minister James Browne being invited to attend, although that might be a smart idea. But, I am sure there are numerous challenges in education outside of the obvious need to ensure our teachers can access affordable housing be it to rent or buy as they progress their careers in such a ­valuable area for our social fabric.
Donald Trump said our housing crisis is a sign of success, but is it really? With continuing housing inflation, when is it going to end? Undoubtedly, a correction is needed on Ireland's copy book.
Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin