'An exceptional leader': Taoiseach pays tribute to Pope Francis following his death 

Pope Francis has died, a senior Vatican official has announced.

Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell said today: “At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.

“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.

“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised.

“With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful llove of the One and Triune God.″

In Ireland, President Michael D Higgins expressed his profound sadness on learning of the death of Pope Francis.

"Pope Francis, in his important messages and in the presentation of his Papacy with a unique humility, sought to show in the most striking and moving of ways the extraordinary importance of the spiritual as a powerful source of global ethics in the challenges of contemporary life," he said. 

"On the vital issues of our time - such as global hunger and poverty, of climate change and justice, of the plight of migrants and indigenous peoples, of the dispossessed, of the fundamental necessity of global peace and diplomacy - Pope Francis' voice constituted a consistent invocation of a shared humanity that is represented by acknowledgement of the essential dignity of each human person."

Taoiseach Micheál Martin also moved to pay tribute to the late Pope, saying the Catholic community worldwide has lost an "exceptional leader".

It is with profound sadness that the world has learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. pic.twitter.com/6s96Oh750T

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) April 21, 2025

"Pope Francis’ long and distinguished papacy was marked by his unwavering commitment to the principles of compassion, peace, and human dignity. He spoke out for the poor, the marginalised, and the oppressed," Mr Martin said. 

"His solidarity with refugees, his calls for climate action, and his insistence on global peace and equality set him apart as a champion of justice in the modern world."

Mr Martin said he had the honour of meeting Pope Francis in Dublin Castle during his visit to Ireland in 2018 and was "impressed by his vision of a Catholic Church that is open, compassionate, and focused on the needs of the most vulnerable". 

"He shared with us his deep concern with the issues of social justice and human rights, and his profound commitment to alleviating suffering.

"Pope Francis’s legacy is his message of peace, reconciliation, and solidarity that lives in the hearts of those he inspired.

"May he rest in peace, and may his memory continue to guide us as we strive to build a world that reflects his vision of love and compassion for all," he added.