Bishop remembers his meetings with Pope as city prepares tributes

PONTIFF DIES JUST HOURS AFTER EASTER SUNDAY APPEARANCE

- By OSCAR FISHER

THE Bishop of Nottingham has led local tributes to Pope Francis following news of the pontiff’s death yesterday.

Pope Francis died at the age of 88 yesterday, just hours after making an Easter Sunday appearance in St Peter's Square in the Vatican.

He had been battling double pneumonia for two months.

The Right Rev Patrick McKinney, Bishop of Nottingham, said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis.

“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.

“I was very privileged to meet Pope Francis in Rome on two occasions — first, upon my appointment as Bishop of Nottingham in May 2015, and once again during the ‘Ad limina’ 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 will be greatly missed.

“It is so poignant that Pope Francis has died this Easter Monday just one day after wishing the world a ‘Happy Easter!