Books of condolence opened for Pope Francis

Books of condolence are being opened at buildings across Northern Ireland, following the death of Pope Francis.

He died on Easter Monday at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta building.

The 88-year-old was elected in March 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI stood down.

In 2018, he became only the second pope in the church's history to visit Ireland.

Political leaders from across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have joined the outpouring of tributes to Pope Francis.

A special meeting of Belfast City Council is to take place on Thursday to mark the passing of Pope Francis, with a book of condolences to open later.

Meanwhile, Derry and Strabane Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Mid Ulster Council have opened online books of condolence in memory of Pope Francis, with other councils expected to follow suit in the coming days.

The mayor of Derry and Strabane opened a book of condolence for the Pope in the Guildhall.

In a post on Facebook, Lilian Seenoi Barr said: "The public are invited and encouraged to come in and express their condolences and share their memories."

"An online book will be available from tomorrow," she added.

Books of condolence will also be available in the Mid Ulster District Council area at the Hill of the O'Neill and Ranfurly House, in Dungannon; the Burnavon, in Cookstown; and the Bridewell, in Magherafelt on Wednesday afternoon.

At the scene in Armagh, Cormac Campbell reports:

A book of condolence has been opened at Armagh Cathedral for visitors.

Throughout the morning a steady stream of people came to St Patrick's Cathedral to sign a special book of condolence.

Among them were Siobhan Keegan from Markethill.

She said: "I felt it was important to represent the family. The rest are across the water. He was a very special Pope. A very humble Pope.

"He lived the way he wanted people to."

Student Emily Collins met the Pope when she travelled to the Vatican with a choir in August last year.

The 22 year old said she "laughed" and "cracked a silly little joke" when shaking his hand.

"I think it's because I'm from Armagh, we have to quip in and say something witty," Emily said.

"I know he loves to joke and I know he loves to laugh, and it's his humility that I love and appreciate about him, so I knew he would appreciate that there far more than he would probably the seriousness."

She said she got "teary" when she heard the news that the Pope had died on Monday.

Emily grew up a Catholic but "never really took much heed" of it.

"A couple of things happened in life that I actually had a wobbler of faith... [but] the more I got involved, the more that everything lined up for me."

In Armagh city centre Tom Duncan, who isn't Catholic, said the Pope was "a remarkable person".

"He is a world leader of a different sort and in a world where people are very much polarised against each other he's an influence for bringing people together."

Melanie Doherty saw the Pope during his visit to Ireland in 2018.

"I'm not hyper religious but he was of the same mindset of the younger generation, of things needs to change and stop being so old-fashioned," she said.

Kieran Grimes had come to the cathedral with his family, some who had travelled from Carlow.

"As I sat down it was the thoughts that came into my mind that I wrote. I hope there's peace and prosperity in the world. He was a good man," he told BBC News NI.

Doreen Lappin said she hoped the next pontiff would continue Pope Francis's work.

"I believe he was a very good, humble man who tried to speak out for the underprivileged. If my faith has anything to do with being a Catholic it's that I'll aspire to," she said.

"I hope his successor continues to do that. A voice for those who can't be heard."

A special memorial mass will take place in the cathedral at 19:00 BST on Thursday.

BBC News NI's Catherine Morrison in Rome, Italy

The first full day of mourning here has been bright and warm.

Pilgrims carrying crosses mingle with curious tourists as they make their way to St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City.

The mood is subdued, respectful, grateful.

Later, rosaries will be said across the city for Pope Francis - a fitting tribute for the Pope who ended each public speech with 'pray for me'.

On Wednesday, his coffin will be brought in procession to St Peter's Basilica to allow the public to pay their respects.

Ronan Mac Murchaidh, who is originally from Belfast but now lives in Belgium with his wife and son, stopped by the Vatican on his way to another religious site in southern Italy.

He said it was surreal to be there, but felt conflicted about the Pope's legacy.

"I'm torn about him," he told BBC News NI.

"He said a lot of things in the 12 years he was Pope... which don't concur with Catholic tradition.

"A lot of stuff he said and did that is kind of hard to swallow for anybody who really knows their faith... so in that respect he's controversial."

BBC NI's Cara O'Doherty, who was on holiday in Rome, attended Pope Francis's Easter address and couldn't believe her luck when he later greeted the crowd.

She said the Pope looked frail and tired, but there was a real sense of gratitude that he had made the effort.

Mrs O'Doherty was in her hotel room on Monday when she found out the pontiff had passed away just hours after her "lucky" encounter.

"Obviously we knew he wasn't well but to wake up the following morning to the news of his passing was just surreal," she said.

"I think we were really lucky, we didn't realise it at the time that we noticed a moment in history, having been present for the last blessing of that Pope."

Speaking on Good Morning Ulster earlier on Tuesday, Rev Trevor Gribben, Clerk of the Presbyterian General Assembly and General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, said Pope Francis was someone who set a different tone.

"His genuine humility came across and I think that began at his election to office when the very first thing he said to the cardinals was that he was doing this as a sinner," he said.

Rev Gribben said that although his Church differs with the Catholic Church, Pope Francis "taught us that we can differ well, and we shouldn't pretend to agree on everything."

"He was a global leader who undoubtedly connected with many people throughout the world, throughout the Church and outside of it. He was an advocate for others, he usually always spoke with a focus on the poor and marginalised," he said.

Gráinne, Shéa and Grace from St Patrick's College in Dungannon, were part of a group from their school who made the pilgrimage to Rome in April.

Shéa said that visiting Rome allowed him to deepen his faith.

He said: "Pope Francis taught me to live a simple life, he wasn't up for a lavish lifestyle, he lived in a humble apartment and had a normal car so he taught us to be happy in a simple life.

"I hope the new pope will finish what he has started in reforming the church."

Grace said visiting Rome was life changing for her.

"I was sad not to meet the Pope as he was unwell but it was a good experience," she said.

She described Pope Francis as a humble man and said he helped to broaden her faith.

She said: "Through social media he boosted faith with young people and talked about war and hope, and encouraging people to live in peace."

Gráinne said: "I think he was a great encouragement for ones our age as teenagers, he always wanted to encourage us to take on more things like the Pope John Paul Award, to get in touch with our community and parish."