The Bishop of Nottingham the Right Reverend Patrick McKinney has paid tribute to Pope Francis following his death on Easter Monday

The Bishop of Nottingham has paid tribute to Pope Francis following his death this week.

The Right Reverend Patrick McKinney was appointed at the The Bishop of Nottingham by Pope Francis in 2015, and expressed his sorrow that the Pope who was “a man of great warmth and humility” had died.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis,” he said.

“The Pope has left an indelible mark on the Church and the world, as a man of great warmth and humility who made use of his global prestige to highlight and to listen to the concerns of the poorest and most marginalised people across the world.

“The loss of the Holy Father will be deeply felt in all of our diocesan communities and well beyond, but I believe his legacy will live on.”

Bishop McKinney said he was privileged to have met Pope Francis in Rome on two occasions — first, upon his appointment as Bishop of Nottingham in May 2015, and again during a visit of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales to Rome in 2018.

“Each time I was struck by his humility and warm welcome, deep love of Christ Jesus, desire to engage in dialogue, and his profound commitment to the Church and her mission,” he said. “He will be greatly missed.”

Reflecting on Pope Francis’ legacy, Bishop McKinney added: “The Holy Father once said, that ‘it is only through faith in the resurrection that we can face the abyss of death without being overwhelmed by fear’.

“It is so poignant that Pope Francis has died this Easter Monday just one day after wishing the world a ‘Happy Easter’. May the Crucified and Risen Lord reward him for his valiant labours.

“He named this year, a Jubilee Year of Hope. So, In the face of his death and our experience of grief and loss, I would encourage all Catholics to continue to journey as Pilgrims of Hope trusting in Christ’s promise of eternal life to those who are faithful to his teaching, and to commend our prayers for the Holy Father to the intercession of St Ignatius, St Francis of Assisi and Our Lady, Queen of Heaven.

“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen."

The Vatican is due to announce details of Pope Francis’ funeral arrangements in the coming days, and details of masses and services across the Diocese of Nottingham are being finalised.

For those who wish, the Diocese of Nottingham are hosting a virtual book of remembrance on their website, which all are welcome to sign.