Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Francis has paid tribute to the late former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds for his work as a peacemaker in Ireland.

The Pope’s message was read out at the politician and businessman’s state funeral at the Sacred Heart Church in Dublin yesterday.

Former Irish Prime Minister Mr Reynolds died last Thursday aged 81 after a long illness.

In the message from the Vatican’s secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, the Pope praised Mr Reynolds’ work and offered condolences to the family.

“The Holy Father learned with sadness of the death of the former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds and he asks you kindly to convey his condolences to Mrs Reynolds and their children and family,” the message read. “Recalling with gratitude the late Taoiseach’s efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in Ireland, His Holiness prays for the eternal repose of his soul. To all those gathered for the funeral rites, the Holy Father imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and hope in the risen Lord.”

Mr Reynolds is survived by his wife Kathleen, two sons and five daughters.

The family confirmed last year that he had Alzheimer’s disease.

Born in November 1932 in Rooskey, County Roscommon, Mr Reynolds was elected to the Irish parliament in 1977 and went on to become Taoiseach in February 1992 in a coalition government.

Among those attending the funeral were Sir John Major, who signed the Downing Street Declaration with Mr Reynolds in 1993 that paved the way for peace talks involving the British and Irish governments and Sinn Fein.

Pic: Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin sprinkles Holy Water over the coffin of former Irish Prime Minister Albert Reynolds yesterday following a funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Dublin.

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