Pope Francis had ‘unfinished business’, says Michael D Higgins

By Cate McCurry, PA

The President has said Pope Francis had “unfinished business” and that he hopes the next pope will build on the steps he was able to take during his tenure.

Michael D Higgins will be among world leaders and dignitaries to attend the funeral of Pope Francis this weekend, along with his wife, Sabina.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris will also attend.

The late pontiff will be buried on Saturday. He died on Easter Monday aged 88.

On Tuesday, Mr Higgins and his wife signed the book of condolences for Francis in the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin.

Speaking afterwards, he said that, on behalf of the people of Ireland, he thanked Pope Francis for work and his example on “embracing the most important issues”.

“Issues that are at the future of our humanity together in relation to climate change, in relation to global poverty, in relation to his particular interest in the welfare of migrants,” Mr Higgins said.

“I thought of the times we have met and the discussions we had, his ability to embrace the suffering, particularly those who are marginalised.

“I noted in the way his vision was wider than many people in politics and public life.

“For example, his ending the Doctrine of Discovery was welcomed by all the indigenous people in the world, in different parts of the world, as pushing an end to that appalling time when doctrinal support was given to colonialism.

“Francis struck that out, I think, on the 30th of March 2023 and it got very little, of course, publicity in the wider secular world, but it was welcomed by all of the people who were working for defending their homelands, and the people, for example, in the Amazon and people who are affected by climate change, who had made the least contribution to the realities of what we were suffering under, but who were paying the highest price.”

President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina this afternoon signed the Book of Condolences for His Holiness Pope Francis in the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin pic.twitter.com/2dmnW7PaRC

— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) April 22, 2025

Mr Higgins described Francis’s visit to Ireland in August 2018 as a “very warm visit”.

“We were all very, very pleased. I think I met him five times, and I value and appreciate all of those conversations,” he added.

“But I know as I was signing on behalf of all of the people, there are people outside of the Catholic Church – really his stress was always on our shared humanity.”

He added: “I’m sure he would want us to push our emphasis on peace and sustainability and, above all else, rights.

“What was very interesting about him, when I look back at other popes as well, was the ease with which he had, it’s part of the changes in his own life that he did discuss too, of being able to embrace people most agonised in the world, it was a great capacity.

“We were very fortunate in having such a wonderful pope.”

He continued: “I think it’s very appropriate as president of Ireland that I would communicate the appreciation of all of the people of Ireland for the generosity of his life, given right until the very last moments of his life.

“For that reason, I will miss very, very much the statements, all of those documents, which were documents of inclusion. I did say, as well, there was unfinished business that I hope that those who follow him will build on the steps he was able to take.

“I remember, as we finished in some of the conversations, he would say that before asking for prayer and offer, he would say, it’s very difficult.”