Faith leaders say Pope 'represented hope'

Faith leaders in the West Country have expressed their "shock" and "sadness" following the death of Pope Francis - "a man who represented hope for many".

The Pope, who was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday morning.

The 88-year-old's passing came after he appeared at St Peter's Square on Sunday to wish "Happy Easter" to thousands of worshippers.

Bishop of Clifton Bosco MacDonald, who leads Catholics in the west of England, said the pope was "a great champion of the poor".

"I was invited to go to the Vatican last year. I was very moved, he gave me a hug,” Bishop MacDonald said.

"[He was] very warm, welcoming and encouraging. A great champion of the poor.

"He captured the imagination of Catholics throughout the world."

Clifton diocese parishioners Richard and Sarah said the Pope was "just interested in people".

"Very grounded," they said.

"He was a champion for compassion and peace."

Father Eugene Campbell, parish priest of the Holy Family Church in Patchway, Bristol, said the news has come as a "shock".

"We all know how frail he was," he said.

"Even though he appeared on the balcony yesterday to give his blessing, he appeared quite active recently.

"He was certainly a pope of the people."

Church of England Bishop of Taunton, Reverend Ruth Worsley said: "It's sad for those of us who valued him as a spiritual leader, but wow what a moment to go.

"Having celebrated the Easter story of resurrection, he's now himself experiencing it."

Father Tom Dubois, parish priest of the Taunton and Wellington Catholic churches said it is a "huge loss" for the Catholic community.

"Obviously, it's a huge sadness for me personally and the Catholic community, but I think for so many others who were really so touched by his life, his ministry and all that he represented," he said.

"He was someone who really had such a deep hope of the resurrection that death isn't the end, and he'd called it a jubilee year of hope this year.

"I think it's quite beautiful really that he's gone to the Lord in this jubilee year of hope.

"Hope is something he really represented for so many."

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was discharged from hospital last month after five weeks of treatment for an infection that led to double pneumonia.

"This morning at 07:35 local time (06:35 BST) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father," Cardinal Kevin Farrell said in a statement, published by the Vatican.

A special mass service to honour his life will be held at Clifton Cathedral at 18:00 BST on Monday.

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