A papacy filled with 'insight and enlightenment'

Local politicians pay tribute to late pontiff

Minister for State Niamh Smyth thinks of the late Pope’s visit to Ireland in 2018 as part of the World Meeting of Families 2018. It was the first visit by a reigning pontiff since 1979, though Francis had spent time studying English in Dublin in 1980, as Fr Jorge Bergoglio. She said his papacy had been filled with “insight and enlightenment”, and the Pope’s encyclical Laudato Si addressed the “urgency of every person caring for our common home – planet earth. Our conversion to evaluate the methods of production and consumption was central in this message,” she said.

The minister and Fianna Fáil TD added: “The humility, compassion and empathy he espoused in his daily life especially touched the needy and vulnerable. He gave understanding, support and respect to their plight and personal dignity. He directed change and focus and has left our church in a better place.”

Her party colleague and fellow Cavan-Monaghan Oireachtas member, Brendan Smith TD, described the late Pontiff as “immensely popular and respected, not just with catholics, but with people of all faiths and none. He was a powerful and consistent voice for the poor, the marginalised and people fleeing persecution.” He added that Pope Francis was “a man of great humility and compassion” and that he brought to the role of Holy See an “important focus on the need for all of us to respect our environment and the urgent challenges of climate change.” Aontú Senator Sarah O’Reilly meanwhile stated that among the Holy Father’s “final acts of service and love” last weekend was to show “incredible leadership and service right to the end. He will be remembered as an honourable, humble, servant of his God, his Church and its people.”