14/03/2013
McDonnell Welcomes Election Of Pope Francis
SDLP Leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell has welcomed the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina who was elected in Rome yesterday evening.
Dr McDonnell said: "I want to warmly welcome the election of Pope Francis, the first Pope from outside Europe in 1,300 years. This represents a new and exciting time for the Catholic Church and its followers who will look to their new leader for spiritual guidance.
"This new dawn is an opportunity to confront the scandals that have blighted the Catholic Church in recent years. Already in Pope Francis we are seeing an extremely humble man who has asked for people to pray for him.
"The challenge ahead is enormous and I have no doubt that Pope Francis will have the good wishes of spiritual and political leaders across the world as he begins his ministry."
(CD)
Dr McDonnell said: "I want to warmly welcome the election of Pope Francis, the first Pope from outside Europe in 1,300 years. This represents a new and exciting time for the Catholic Church and its followers who will look to their new leader for spiritual guidance.
"This new dawn is an opportunity to confront the scandals that have blighted the Catholic Church in recent years. Already in Pope Francis we are seeing an extremely humble man who has asked for people to pray for him.
"The challenge ahead is enormous and I have no doubt that Pope Francis will have the good wishes of spiritual and political leaders across the world as he begins his ministry."
(CD)
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Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, has opened a book of condolence at Belfast City Hall in memory of Pope Francis, who passed away recently. Expressing his sadness, The Lord Mayor said: "I was saddened to hear of the death of Pope Francis just a day after he gave his final Easter blessing at St Peter's Square on Sunday.
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Books Of Condolence Opened In Derry And Strabane For Pope Francis
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr, has opened books of condolence in both Derry and Strabane for the public to express their sympathies following the death of Pope Francis. The 88-year-old pontiff passed away on Easter Monday at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.
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11 June 2018
Pope Francis Will Not Visit NI In August
Pope Francis will not be travelling to Northern Ireland in August. The announcement was made by the Vatican who outlined his itinerary on 25 and 26 August. He will visit a homeless day centre and he will also attend the Festival of Families at Croke Park in Dublin. This will be the first papal visit to Ireland in almost 40 years.
Pope Francis Will Not Visit NI In August
Pope Francis will not be travelling to Northern Ireland in August. The announcement was made by the Vatican who outlined his itinerary on 25 and 26 August. He will visit a homeless day centre and he will also attend the Festival of Families at Croke Park in Dublin. This will be the first papal visit to Ireland in almost 40 years.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.