FLAGS across Jersey will be lowered to half-mast as Islanders join millions around the world in mourning the death of Pope Francis.
The Bishop of Rome passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, following recent health complications.
According to Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the pontiff “returned to the home of the Father” at 7.35am on 21 April.
As a mark of respect, all government, public and parish buildings in Jersey have been instructed to fly the Jersey flag at half-mast from now until 8pm on 22 April.
The Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, said: “I was saddened on receiving the news of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
“His selfless devotion to his faith and to all of those of good intent made him a much loved and respected figure who will be missed not only by the Catholic Community but all who admired his work.”
The Dean of Jersey’s Catholic Church, Canon Dominic Golding, paid tribute to the late pontiff’s compassion and ministry to those “on the peripheries”.
“We are today united with Catholics and many others across the world in mourning the death of Pope Francis,” he said.
“I think of his ministry to migrants and refugees, to the elderly and to Christians such as the Catholic parish of Gaza, who for the last year or so he has telephoned every Sunday evening to assure them of his support.
“Now that he has died, he would want us to pray for him. As Catholics we will do this in our homes and churches lighting candles and praying for the repose of his soul.”
Housing Minister Deputy Sam Mézec also paid tribute.
“My thoughts today are with Jersey’s Catholic community and all of those who had admiration for Pope Francis,” he said.
“During his tenure, he unashamedly stood for social, economic and environmental justice. He was the first Pope to affirm the human dignity of LGBTQ+ people.
“He consistently called for a ceasefire in Gaza and peace in the Middle East.
“In many respects, he filled the moral void created by so many self-interested and hypocritical political leaders. Let his example serve as our inspiration to create a better world and demand so much more from those who lead us.”
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, served as pontiff for twelve years. He was the first Jesuit Pope, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European to lead the Catholic Church in over 1,200 years.
