Since our previous sitting, Members will be aware of the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. In the time that has followed, we recognise that many in our community have been in mourning. That has been seen in the tributes that have been paid to Pope Francis by Catholics and those of other faiths and none across Northern Ireland and throughout the world. Indeed, during the Easter recess, many Members expressed their personal reflections on Pope Francis. The Assembly has never previously been sitting when a Pope has died in office. It is right and important, however, that the Assembly have the opportunity to express formally its condolences and to reflect the sorrow and thanksgiving that has been expressed in the community. Following contact between the Speaker's Office and party Whips, I therefore wrote to Members last week to inform them that our scheduled business would be delayed in order to enable this sitting to begin with condolences. I thank officials and Whips for giving of their time over the Easter holidays to put those arrangements in place.

I will shortly open the condolences by calling the First Minister and the deputy First Minister, followed by representatives of each of the other parties, to speak for up to five minutes. After that, I will call all other Members who rise in their place to speak for up to three minutes. After all Members who wish to speak have done so, the sitting will be suspended for approximately 30 minutes, after which we will resume our scheduled business. At the conclusion of today's condolences, I will write formally to Archbishop Martin with a copy of the Official Report. The Assembly will now pay its respects. I call the First Minister.

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle.

[Translation: Thank you, Mr Speaker.]

I had the privilege as First Minister of attending the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday. It was a honour to join world leaders to pay our respects to a man who defined the best of human values. It is therefore with great sadness that I today express my deepest condolences following the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. I extend my sympathies to his family and to the people of his homeland, Argentina; to His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, the apostolic nuncio to Ireland; to Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland; to Church leaders across this island; to the Jesuit community; and to Catholics everywhere who are mourning the loss of their spiritual leader.

Pope Francis was a man of deep faith, profound humility and immense courage. He led the Catholic Church through a period of great change, challenge and renewal and did so with grace, integrity and a powerful sense of compassion for all people, particularly the poor and marginalised. He was a Pope of firsts: the first Jesuit to be elected to the papacy, the first Pope from the Americas, the first from the southern hemisphere and the first to take the name Francis, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the poor. Those firsts were not only symbolic; they reflected his vision of a Church that should walk alongside those on the margins and speak with honesty and courage to the challenges of our time. He once described himself as a man from the periphery, and, in many ways, that is how he led. He was the voice of the voiceless in a world increasingly defined by inequality, division and conflict. He spoke in defence of the downtrodden and the displaced and was never afraid to challenge those in power.

Here in Ireland, many hold a deep and enduring reverence for the papacy, but, for Pope Francis in particular, there was a special affection. That bond was made all the more evident during his pastoral visit to Ireland in 2018 as part of the World Meeting of Families. Tens of thousands travelled to see him, and, for many, his visit remains a cherished moment of connection and inspiration. During the visit, Pope Francis met the survivors of clerical sexual abuse. He listened to their pain and publicly acknowledged the institutional failure of the Church and the grave errors and repugnant crimes committed within it. His words were both a reckoning and a call to action. He challenged the Church and society to do more: to listen, to protect and to heal. He also spoke passionately in support of the peace process on this island. He expressed his hope that we would overcome every remaining obstacle and give birth to a future of harmony, reconciliation and mutual trust.

Those words continue to resonate today. They serve as a reminder of the work that remains in building a shared, united and peaceful society for all. Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis was a progressive voice on many global and social issues. He spoke with compassion on LGBTQ rights, calling for respect and inclusion. He denounced the rise of political extremism and the dehumanisation of migrants, and, in recent years, he emerged as one of the most vocal moral authorities condemning the ongoing war in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire, the protection of civilians and access to humanitarian aid. He challenged the indifference of the global community and reminded us that peace is not passive but must be pursued with courage and conscience.

Pope Francis will be remembered as a spiritual leader, a unifier and a man of deep moral conviction. He certainly practised what he preached. He lived simply, led humbly and never stopped advocating for the dignity of all people. His legacy is one of compassion, courage and hope, and his loss will be felt profoundly here in Ireland and across the world. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

[Translation: May God have mercy on his faithful soul.]

I offer my sincere condolences to all who are in mourning on the passing of Pope Francis.

His journey was remarkable, from humble beginnings as a caretaker to joining the priesthood and then serving as Pope, breaking precedent to be the first Pope to come from Latin America. The many comments and messages over the past days demonstrate the profound respect and admiration that people held for Pope Francis not only here in Northern Ireland but across the rest of the United Kingdom, in Ireland and across the globe. The many public statements made on his passing were notable for their common themes of compassion, of a humble spirit and of caring for and giving to those in need. I have no doubt that Pope Francis would have wished those principles to be his legacy. They are principles that we can all agree with, regardless of our theology, politics, faith or beliefs; principles that each of us should seek to live by in our public service; and principles that are core to my personal faith.

The loss of Pope Francis will continue to be felt deeply by the Church that he led and will be felt most by the many congregations here and across the world. May God give comfort to all who mourn.

Mr Speaker, thank you for allowing us the opportunity to take some time, at the commencement of today's sitting, to reflect on and pay tribute to His Holiness Pope Francis after his recent passing.

There are few world leaders who can truly be said to transcend national boundaries. However, as the temporal head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis was such a leader. His influence and the esteem in which he was held extended around the globe. Moreover, the admiration and respect for Pope Francis extended far beyond the bounds of the Catholic Church and its members. It touched not only Christians of other denominations but those of all faiths and none, who connected with his authenticity, his compassion, his consistency in his beliefs and his commitment to live a life that reflected those values.

In all that Pope Francis said and did, he sought to reflect the priorities, the heart and the humility of Jesus: embracing the marginalised; challenging injustice; being a voice for the voiceless; bringing comfort to the grieving and distressed; and showing generosity to the poor and compassion to the oppressed and displaced. He demonstrated those values not only by visiting marginalised communities and advocating for the rights of the poor and vulnerable in life but by ensuring that every part of his burial rite reflected that humility, from the simplicity of his coffin to its positioning at ground level during his requiem mass.

Pope Francis's papacy broke new ground in 2013 when the then Jorge Mario Bergoglio became the first from the Americas and the southern hemisphere ever to serve as Pope. His papacy was characterised by his humility, by his emphasis on God's mercy and compassion and by a commitment to inter-religious dialogue, to which he had always been committed. A vocal critic of economic inequality, consumerism and environmental degradation, he not only championed the poor, the vulnerable, the excluded, the migrants and the refugees but emphasised the need for action on climate change and socio-economic inequality so that we could transform this world and make it fairer.

Pope Francis, during his pontificate, also implemented and advocated a wide range of reforms, from making women full members of the dicastery in the Roman Curia to promoting greater inclusivity in the Church, including LGBTQIA people and those who were divorced. Whilst not all his progressive stances were fully embraced, he gave people permission to faithfully explore those issues and offered hope to those who were previously cast aside.

Pope Francis prioritised dialogue with other faiths, promoting mutual understanding and respect. That deeply personal commitment to interfaith dialogue was reflected in the range of meetings that he had with leaders across many different religious backgrounds. It also extended to his pursuit of peace and reconciliation more widely in conflict zones across the world, including, most recently, in Ukraine, Gaza and Palestine, where he was willing to challenge world powers and pressed for justice, peace and reconciliation.

Perhaps the most fitting way in which I can conclude my tribute is to quote the words of His Holiness Pope Francis himself, who reflected one of the fundamental truths of the Christian faith and journey. He said:

"Having doubts and fears is not a sin. The sin is to allow these fears to determine our responses, to limit our choices, to compromise respect and generosity, to feed hostility and rejection. The sin is to refuse to encounter the other ... the different ... the neighbor, when this is in fact a privileged opportunity to encounter the Lord. ... to overcome our fears so as to encounter the other, to welcome, to know and to acknowledge him or her."

May God grant his soul peaceful repose, and may his Holy Spirit comfort all those who mourn his passing.

Members will be aware that I am not a member of the Catholic Church, but I do not think that that is any barrier to recognising that, for so many in this country, on this island and, indeed, around the world, Pope Francis was both a cherished leader and an inspiration. For the avoidance of doubt, I should not in any way be considered any sort of expert on religion, so I will refrain from commenting on Pope Francis's theology and, rather, focus on the man.

It goes without saying that every Pope is consequential globally, but few, if any, have been as universally appealing as Pope Francis — John Paul II, perhaps, but, to me, Francis was different again because of his values. He first struck me as somebody different and somebody special on his visit to the United States in 2015.

He arrived at the White House in the smallest of small black cars. There was no motorcade. There were no trappings of an international leader, and he eschewed the trappings that are so embraced by just national leaders. At the White House, he met President Obama, who praised his humility, simplicity, gentleness and generosity of spirit. The president told the Pope that he saw a leader whose moral authority came through not just words but deeds. I do not know about you, Mr Speaker, but that is a lesson for me. Pope Francis set the bar very high.

It would be wrong not to touch on historical institutional and clerical abuse. I acknowledge Pope Francis's personal engagement on the issue. He met victims and survivors on his visit to this island in 2018. Father Timothy Bartlett, who had a key role in planning that visit, spoke last week about a flight from the shrine at Knock to the Mass at Phoenix Park, during which Pope Francis asked for some paper to write notes. I can do no better than quote Father Bartlett, who said that that "penitential act" was:

"the most profound, eloquent and developed apology to those who had been hurt by abuse in the church ... I am absolutely satisfied that historians will look back at that and regard it as one of the most profound apologies ever given on this issue."

Equally, I note the words of Mags McGuckin, that tireless and fearless campaigner with Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse (SAVIA), who clearly focused more on the institution of the Church than on the individual.

It has been said many times in the past week or so that Pope Francis was a disruptor. His life, funeral and burial as the Pope are a clear demonstration of that. As we wait to see what follows, I wish the conclave wisdom when it meets.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for facilitating today's session. I offer my and my party's most sincere condolences on the passing of Pope Francis, who was a great man and a great leader but, more importantly, a humble man and a humble leader. He was deeply loved, and he will be missed across Ireland and the world by, first and foremost, members of the Catholic Church but also, as is evident today, by members of other faiths and, indeed, those of no faith. Those of us who are religious and those who are not saw in him someone who embodied, even if they are not Christian, the true nature of Christ. In a world where our culture has grown harsher and more hostile, Francis was a man who represented decency, humanity and gentleness. He was a voice for the voiceless at a time when voices of anger and exclusion have grown louder and louder.

The first and most important example that Francis set was one of simplicity and humility. From the moment that he first stepped on to the balcony overlooking St Peter's Basilica, we saw something different from what we were used to seeing from Popes. There were fewer embroidered vestments and fewer crucifixes of gold and silver. There was a white garment, a plain cross and a humble wave to the crowd that he served. Foregoing many of the trappings of papacy, he remained a pastor at heart. His disdain for pomp and grandeur and anything that separated him from ordinary people, whether they were Catholics, Christians, those of other faiths or no faith, was plain to see. He travelled more than any Pope in history. He seemed to take real energy from meeting, engaging, laughing and connecting with people around the world.

It has already been mentioned that Pope Francis made a particular effort to reach out to communities who had previously been excluded from the Church, most notably, perhaps, the LGBT community. His words early in his papacy about gay people, when he said, "Who am I to judge?", set a new tone for the relationship between LGBT people and the Catholic Church. While it is fair to say that there is still a road to travel with those relations, his words were remarkably healing. He was the first Pope to allow priests to grant blessings to gay couples. He denounced discrimination against gay people, and he clarified that transgender men and women could stand as godparents during baptism.

The name that the media gave him upon his election as Pope was "The first Pope of the New World", and that role came to be more significant. It has already been mentioned that he was the first Pope from the southern hemisphere. He turned the Church's eyes away from simply the cathedrals of Europe and North America towards poorer communities in Central America, Africa and Asia. That influence can be seen in the coming conclave to select his successor. That commitment to the Global South, not just in a theological and ecclesiastical sense but in a policy sense, underwrote his commitment to tackling global poverty and climate change. Just as it was those who had been most distant from the Church to whom Francis offered the warmest welcome, it was those of wealth and power for whom he reserved often the sharpest criticism. In his 'Evangelii Gaudium', which was an encyclical written in the first year of his papacy, he outlined what he saw as the commitments and the Church's responsibility in relation to social injustice. He told the faithful that, just as the commandments say, "Thou shalt not kill", Christians must also say, "Thou shalt not" to greed, inequality and exploitation. He practised what he preached. He rooted out inappropriate and immoral investments in the Vatican Bank, and he re-devoted the Church's attention to causes of charity, conservation and economic and social justice around the world.

He was also not afraid to confront the rise of political extremism, even when those expressing that extremism draped themselves in the banner of Christianity. Francis was himself from an immigrant background, coming from an Italian family who had emigrated to Argentina, and he denounced the hypocrisy of those who claim to be Christian but turn away those fleeing war and persecution. In his final years, Francis devoted himself more and more to the cause of peace, and it has been well said already that Francis spoke movingly about peace in Ireland. In his final days, as his health was failing and even as visiting dignitaries were able to get only a few minutes, Pope Francis had a video call with children in Gaza to offer what must have been hope and comfort to those facing the most extreme suffering. His legacy is one of humility, service and the most profound service to Catholics and to people of all faiths and no faith around the world. May his soul rest in peace.

Today, like many across Northern Ireland, Ireland and the world, we mark the passing of Pope Francis with sadness and respect. Throughout his life, Pope Francis showed that real leadership is not found in dominance or division but in humility, service and resolute care for those who are often forgotten. His concern for the poor, the displaced and the vulnerable reached beyond politics or political boundaries. He reminded us that, whatever our background, compassion, dignity and truth must always come first. In Northern Ireland, where fear and division have shaped so much of our history, his life offered a different path — one rooted in our shared humanity, not in one that separates us. That message could not be more important today. Too often now, we see fear exploited and mistruth spread. Too often, we see concern for the vulnerable spoken about loudly, yet the real suffering of women, children and the marginalised ignored when it is less convenient to face.

Fear is a real and powerful emotion, and I would never dismiss it. However, when fear is fuelled, when it is turned into suspicion and hatred, and when those who are already struggling are blamed for hardship that they did not cause, we must call it out for what it is. Pope Francis showed that true care for the vulnerable is measured not in warm words but in action, in standing with those who are silenced, in welcoming those who are cast out and in choosing compassion over comfort. His passing also leaves serious challenges for the Catholic Church and its future. The wounds of past abuses remain raw. Trust, once broken, can only be restored through truth, accountability and a deep and lasting commitment to change. That work is essential and urgent, but today, first and foremost, it is time to honour a man who showed what faith in action looks like: quiet, courageous, humble and deeply human. He was not my religious leader, but his great example of humanity is one that I gladly follow.

May Pope Francis rest in peace, and may we, in our communities, politics and daily lives, have the courage to choose kindness over cruelty, truth over easy comfort and hope over fear.

I express my deepest condolences at the passing of Pope Francis — a man who led the Catholic Church with extraordinary humility, compassion and courage. From the moment that he was elected in March 2013, Pope Francis made it clear that he would be a voice for the most marginalised and vulnerable. Throughout his papacy, he showed us what it means to walk alongside those who suffer. He championed not only refugees but the poor, the sick, the elderly and the environment that we share. He called on us to build a world that is rooted not in greed or division but in justice, mercy and peace. He taught that every human being, no matter their circumstances or situation, is valued and cherished. He spoke boldly about the need for peace and dialogue across all cultures and religions. In a world that often turns away from the vulnerable, Pope Francis stood firm. He reminded us that true faith is lived out not in comfort but in compassion and not behind closed doors but in our communities.

Today we mourn his loss. We also give thanks for the example that he set — an example of tenderness, humility and empathy. Let us honour his memory by carrying forward his legacy to protect the dignity of every person and to promote peace and dialogue. May Pope Francis rest in peace, and may his spirit and teachings continue to guide and encourage us all.

I rise to mark the passing of Pope Francis — a figure of immense significance to millions across the world. Alongside my party colleagues, I recognise the profound impact that Pope Francis had on the spiritual lives of thousands of people across Northern Ireland. At such a moment as this, we are reminded of the importance of respecting the sincere beliefs of our neighbours, even where deep theological differences remain. On behalf of the Democratic Unionist Party, I extend my condolences to all those mourning today, particularly our Roman Catholic neighbours and colleagues.

It is with great sadness that I rise to mark the passing of Pope Francis — a leader whose compassion and courage changed lives, including my own and that of my family. For many years, I felt very distant from the Church: I struggled with its failings and questioned whether it still had a place in my life. However, through the example set by Pope Francis during his papacy, his humility and his focus on social justice, love and mercy, I found my way back to my faith over the past decade. Now, I attend Mass weekly with my young family. That has become a source of great comfort and grounding for us; it is something that I once thought would never be part of our lives again. For that, I will be forever grateful.

That is not to say that the Church is perfect, or that I believe it to be so: far from it. There are still deep issues of hurt within its structures, with which I and many others struggle, and questions that remain unanswered for many people, but Pope Francis never shied away from acknowledging those hard truths. His leadership taught us that real faith requires honesty, humility and a willingness to listen and to change. Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis called us to face not just the internal challenges of the Church but the wider suffering in our world. He named the pandemic of poverty for what it is — a moral emergency — and he urged all of us, including people of faith and people of none, to place the most vulnerable at the heart of our actions. That is something that we all could live with.

Perhaps what touched me most personally was his unwavering message of inclusion. His leadership opened the door wider for those who had felt pushed to the margins, those who had felt as if they were excluded and those who longed for a Church that was built on compassion rather than judgement. As we mourn his passing, I hope that the Church will continue on the path that Pope Francis so fearlessly set — a path that is grounded in humanity, justice and love. If it does, the seeds that he planted in so many hearts will continue to grow for generations to come.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for convening this very important moment in the Assembly. I do not think that there are many in Northern Ireland or across the world who will not remember Pope Francis with deep gratitude.

I will always be thankful for his visit to Dublin in 2018 and the chance that I had to attend the World Meeting of Families. It is a memory that will stay with me.

This is not to be irreverent but, given the complexity of the island that we are from, I will go back to something that happened at that meeting. It was an extraordinary event. Leo Varadkar, the Taoiseach at the time, and the Pope walked from one end of Dublin Castle to the other to take their seats at the front of a packed hall. I have been a person of faith for many years, and I was interested in how the event would go. This is the truth: an incredible beam of light came through a window and right on to Pope Francis. Given the theological background that I come from, that challenged me in a way that made me smile. One of the things that Pope Francis demonstrated was that it is not about religion; it is about faith. We have wrestled with that for too many years in this country. Whether you agree with the theology or not, the example that Pope Francis set was unquestionably good.

He was a different Pope, as was obvious from when he started. Why was he different? He chose to live simply by swapping the grand apostolic palace for a modest guest house; by driving small cars, as Mike Nesbitt mentioned; and even by carrying his own bags. It was clear that he was not about show; he was about service. His heart, as others have outlined today, was always with those on the edges. He made it his mission to reach out to the poor, the migrants and the forgotten. He visited slums, prisons and refugee camps. His vision of a Church for the poor moved the focus away from strict rules towards one of true faith and of mercy. Of course, there was his warmth, whether when kissing babies or — it is an image that really sits with me; I saw it at the weekend and had not seen it before — when a young girl with Down's syndrome made her way up to the altar and, instead of her being shooed away, he took that little girl's hand and gave his message holding her hand.

He was one for taking selfies, and he always spoke from the heart: one might think that he would have made a great MLA. He made the Church feel closer to the people. As was mentioned, for people on this island, particularly those whose lives were irrevocably changed by what the Church did not do to protect them, he sought to make a change. He rightly earned the title "the People's Pope". If he had left a message before he died, I believe that it would have been not to mourn his death but to learn from his example of humility and humanity. Our thoughts are with the people who will miss him: his family, his colleagues and those in the Catholic Church.

Like others in the House, I welcome the opportunity to pay tribute to Pope Francis. There is a saying that, when a man becomes Pope, he dies to himself. He takes on a new name, one that will, in many ways, define what his papacy will stand for. Yet, this Pope did not disappear into the role. He brought more of himself to the role, perhaps more than any Pope in modern history. He lived humbly, ate with the poor, visited prisoners and embraced all as a friend and equal. Wherever he went, he carried a message of mercy, kindness and compassion. When he assumed the papacy in 2013, he carried that message to the world, challenging everyone from the loftiest leader to the simplest shepherd to see in every face their brother or sister.

Pope Francis changed the style of the Catholic Church, but, perhaps even more profoundly, he changed its tone. He met countless victims and survivors of clerical sex abuse and acknowledged the Church's failures. He apologised without condition and moved decisively away from a culture of silence. In 12 years as Pope, through his witness and his words, Pope Francis helped to bring many people back to the Church, not by changing doctrine but by opening new doors to dialogue, presence and understanding. His was a papacy of mercy, and perhaps there is something in there that we can all learn from.

The Catholic Church is in mourning, and we await the convening of the conclave. However, there is hope and prayer in the hearts of many Catholics that whoever is chosen to succeed Pope Francis will carry forward his mission to make the Church a home for saints and sinners alike — humbler, more accepting and more open.

May the soul of Pope Francis now rest in peace, which he so beautifully espoused and so faithfully witnessed to people throughout his life.

On Easter Sunday morning, I watched on television Urbi et Orbi, the customary papal address that is given to the world to celebrate Easter and the Resurrection. Although, owing to his failing health, Pope Francis had delegated the papal address to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, he blessed the thousands of people in St Peter's Square and the tens of thousands worldwide who watched on television. Not only did Pope Francis wish all who were present a happy Easter but he insisted on being taken amongst the people. He was taken through the crowds, waving to and blessing all who were in attendance. Pope Francis was a Pope of the people to his very last breath.

Although the Pope's declining health was obvious, it still came as a shock to many when his death was announced on Easter Monday. During his 12-year tenure, the "people's Pope" was renowned for his humility, his devotion to his faith, his efforts to open doors in the Church to those who were previously ignored or shunned and his efforts to reach out to the marginalised, the dispossessed and the poor. Pope Francis was a Pope of peace. He had taken his message — the Christian message — to many corners of the world, where he met many political leaders, leaders of other faiths and those of no faith. It is ironic that, on the occasion of his funeral, a productive meeting between the American president and Zelenskyy, the leader of Ukraine, took place in pursuit of a ceasefire in the war between Russia and Ukraine. An end to that war was very dear to Pope Francis's heart, as was his desire for an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.

Pope Francis showed his concern for immigrants: an issue that has worldwide implications. He criticised those countries that shunned migrants. The Pope said that people cross borders looking for a better life. Is that not what we all want for our children? Are we not all the same people? In 2018, when Pope Francis visited Ireland, my wife and I attended the papal mass in Phoenix Park, where I heard the Pope's words of encouragement when he asked us not to be indifferent to the less fortunate. That is something that he exemplified throughout his tenure as Pope and even on the day of his funeral, when he ensured that a special place was reserved for marginalised and homeless people amongst all the world leaders and dignitaries who were in attendance.

As we say in Irish, ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.

[Translation: we will not see his like again.]

We do, however, hope that whoever is appointed to be the next Pope will follow the same direction in which Pope Francis led his Church. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

[Translation: May his soul be at God's right hand.]

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the time that you have given to allow Members the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Pope. It is much appreciated.

The first thing that I want to do, on behalf of myself and my colleague David Honeyford, is to express our sincere condolences to anybody in Lagan Valley and across Northern Ireland who is feeling the impact of that loss and is grieving for the Pope. You have been sincerely in our thoughts. I hope that the way in which Pope Francis's papacy has been remembered and honoured across the world and, indeed, in the Chamber will be a comfort to you.

I was raised and educated in the Catholic faith, but my admiration for Pope Francis is not based on deference. He was someone who embodied and validated for me something that I have said many times, which is that sincere people of faith are the very best people. Those people do not tell you how you should behave but rather show by their lived example their faith and values. Pope Francis offered a kind of leadership that is desperately needed in the world today. He was humble and authentic, showed strength through compassion and was embracing. In the Church that Pope Francis led, everyone was welcome. During his address on World Youth Day in 2023, he said of the Church:

"there is room for everyone. Just as we are. All of us."

He famously reached out to the LGBT community when he said, "Who am I to judge?".

In a world leaning towards so-called strongman-style leaders who gain power by exploiting and preying on the vulnerable and marginalised, Pope Francis prayed for them. He did more than that: he used the power of the papacy to advocate for them. Human suffering and injustice moved him. In his first pastoral visit outside Rome, he visited migrants fleeing Libya, where he denounced the globalisation of indifference. He advocated for peace, challenged the rise in antisemitism and could not be silent on the cruelty in Gaza and the continued, sustained bombing of people there. He spoke with clarity on the reality of climate change and, in keeping with his devotion to the poor, highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on the poorest people in our communities. His expression of faith is one that resonated with me, and he restored confidence in the institution of the Catholic Church for many Catholics.

God bless Pope Francis. Thank you for your service, for yours truly was a heart for service. May he rest in peace.

Pope Francis was a man of remarkable humility, compassion and courage. From the moment that the white smoke emerged and he stepped out on to the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, he captured the hearts of millions, not with grandeur but with simplicity. He was a pontiff of the people who walked among the poor, spoke for the marginalised and never shied away from challenging injustice, even within his own Church. He reminded us that faith is not just something that we practise in prayer but something that we must live out in action in how we treat the vulnerable, the neighbour, the stranger and, indeed, the earth itself. His encyclical "Laudato Si'" will stand as a lasting legacy in the fight for climate justice, urging us all to care for our common home.

He was fearless in his calls for peace in Palestine. In Ireland, especially but, as we have seen and heard today, by no means exclusively among the Catholic community in the North, Pope Francis was a source of spiritual strength and guidance. His 2018 visit to our shores rekindled hope, healing and dialogue, a message that we all still definitely need to hear and to give.

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam uasal.

[Translation: May God have mercy on his noble soul.]

He leaves behind a world where the conflict continues between darkness and light and all of us, whatever our faith — if we have any faith at all — should strive to carry on his torch of tenderness and compassion. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

[Translation: May his soul be at God’s right hand.]

Mr Speaker, thank you for affording us the time to mark the occasion.

On hearing the news and reading the associated reflections on the death of Pope Francis, I have been thinking about what I would like to have spoken to him about, had I had the chance. He was an ecumenical pope, meeting those from different denominations, including Eastern Orthodox leaders and Muslim leaders. He even met my mother and father's Presbyterian minister.

I would like to have talked to him about building bridges, not walls. On his name, "Francis", after Francis of Assisi — he was a man who loved Creation — he remarked, "These days, we do not have a good relationship with Creation, do we?". I would like to have talked to him about looking after his creation. On his approach to the LGBTQ+ community — "If a gay person seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?" — I would like to reflect his approach in being accepting. He spoke about a healing Church: "Throw a rock in the air, and you will hit someone hurting". I would like to talk more about healing the wounds in our society. He spoke on the impact of consumerism on our environment and climate: "We create vast quantities of wants; yet, there are still many in need. We waste vast amounts of food; yet, people still go hungry". I would like to have spoken to him about that. He spoke of the isms of ideologies and how they can become outdated and be a barrier to peace and progress. I would like to have spoken to him about the limitations of ideological isms. He was a voice for strangers in foreign lands. He epitomised what my grandmother often quotes to me: look after strangers, for, amongst them, there may be angels. I should maybe have included that in the ecumenical section, as my granny is the most Presbyterian person whom I know. I would like to have spoken to him about the stranger in foreign lands.

I will not get the chance to speak to Pope Francis, but, if his theological legacy is one of encouraging us to speak to one another with more grace, that is something that I can subscribe to.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute a tribute to Pope Francis. I put on record my sadness and that of my constituents and those across the island following the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In my opinion, the late Pope Francis embodied everything that the world needs right now: the importance of seeking to understand each other, the importance of tolerance and the need to walk in each other's shoes and respect different religions and different cultures. Many, including me, feel strongly that Pope Francis breathed life into the Catholic Church. Pope Francis devoted his life to Christ and chose the name of Francis due to his love of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, who is known for his commitment to helping and uplifting the poor. As a practising Catholic, I greatly admire his commitment to building a Church that is based on inclusion and respect, focusing on bringing young people closer to Christ and acting as a progressive Pope who was welcoming of all.

Lastly, having been raised in a place such as this — a place shaped by conflict — I greatly admired Pope Francis's commitment and courage with regard to peacebuilding in the Middle East, recognising that one murdered Israeli or one murdered Palestinian was too many. His commitment to speaking with and praying for persecuted Christians across the globe speaks to the type of man that he was. I hope that his final wish — one that he spoke of until his final days — for peace in the Middle East soon becomes a reality. May he rest in peace.

I express my condolences on the death of Pope Francis. I have often spoken out about not being a person of faith. I was raised in a Catholic household and went to a Catholic school. Growing up, there was always a picture of Pope John Paul on the wall — now Pope Francis. Many of the grandchildren in my family just assumed that Pope Francis was another family member until they recently saw him on the news. That is what it is like for many households across the world. Particularly in Northern Ireland, it is not unusual to see a portrait of the Pope in your parents' living room, because they feel so closely connected to their faith. It is therefore not difficult for me to recognise and respect the significance not only of Pope Francis but of the position and the office itself.

I speak today on behalf of those who mourn silently, as those in the Catholic Church often do. They mourn through prayer, whether at Mass, at home or in prayer groups. I think of people like my mother, who, like many others across Northern Ireland, travelled to Dublin in 2018 to witness the Pope and had the privilege of travelling to Vatican City. My mother, despite not being able to stand for very long or walk very far, was very determined and waited for many hours just to catch a brief glimpse and get blessed by the Pope. I respect and recognise the importance of the office and the person, but Pope Francis had an impact on all of us who hold the issue of morality so dear, whether we have faith or not. We often talk about change coming from within our communities, but change that comes from leadership is quite significant, in that it acknowledges, recognises and apologises for past mistakes. That was not beyond Pope Francis. My only desire and hope, as a person who is outside the Catholic Church, is that, for the next papacy, the conclave can select someone who will carry on his legacy.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving us the opportunity and time to pay our respects to the late Pope Francis. On the passing of the Holy Father, Ireland bows its head not only in mourning but in deep gratitude for a life poured out in service. He was a man of towering faith. However, his greatness lay not in power but in the tireless labour of love in his defence of the dignity of every soul. He spoke to a world aching for truth, and, in the storm of change, he stood steady as a voice for the unborn, the poor and the forgotten. In lands torn by violence and greed, he became a pilgrim of peace, especially for Gaza and Ukraine.

He was, perhaps, a vehicle for that reconciliation even in death, as Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy met at his funeral. He also spoke on economic injustice, environmental injustice, racism, migration and indigenous rights. He said that war was a defeat for humanity.

Ireland, which itself is no stranger to sorrow, saw in him a mirror of our struggles. He was a man who knew suffering yet never despaired, and he met hardship not with anger but with deep wells of mercy. He called on us, young and old, to rise up and live not for ourselves alone but for a kingdom not built by hands. He championed the sacredness of life, the power of forgiveness and the need for justice rooted in love.

For his steadfast voice, his compassion without borders and his faith that dipped candles in our darkest nights, Ireland gives thanks. He has finished the race. He has kept the faith. May his work bear fruit in every heart he so lovingly tendered. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam.

[Translation: May God have mercy on his soul.]

I express my sadness and sympathies on the passing of Pope Francis. I offer my condolences to all those who mourn his loss. Today, we gather to honour the life and extraordinary legacy of Pope Francis, a man who demonstrated the quiet power of humility and compassion. He reminded us through word and deed that a society is judged not by the wealth or eminence of its most powerful but by the dignity afforded to its most vulnerable, downtrodden and bereft.

Francis demonstrated courageous leadership on the biggest issues of our time, such as protecting our environment. He spoke out against poverty and inequality, offering support to refugees and asylum seekers, showing genuine compassion to the LGBT community and condemning the Israeli violence and destruction committed against the Palestinian people. As a world leader, he acknowledged and defended the dignity of every human being, and, in doing so, he brought his Church back to the people.

So many words have been offered here and elsewhere to acknowledge and celebrate the legacy of the late Pope Francis. Ultimately, however, the real tribute to Francis will not come from online posts or speeches in Chambers such as this; his true legacy will be found in the millions of lives that he touched across the globe, in how he sought to tear down the structures of injustice and in the acts of kindness that he inspired across the world in people of all faiths and none. May his memory guide us forwards towards a future marked by compassion, humility, solidarity, love and peace. I measc na naomh go raibh sé.

[Translation: May he be numbered among the saints.]

Thank you, Members.

The sitting was suspended at 12.53 pm and resumed at 1.25 pm.