Books of Condolence to honour the passing of Pope Francis

Louth County Council has opened Books of Condolence across the county to honour the life of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed on Easter Monday at the age of 88.

A book was officially opened on Tuesday afternoon at County Hall, Dundalk, by the Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr Kevin Callan, in the presence of Chief Executive David Conway and Fr Ryan Holovasky CSSR, St Joseph’s Monastery.

A ceremony also took place at the Civic Offices in Fair Street, Drogheda, where the Mayor of Drogheda, Cllr Paddy McQuillan, was joined by Fr Eugene Sweeney PP, while the Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District, Cllr Sean Kelly, along with Louth County Council Director of Services, Joe McGuinness, and Fr Mark O’Hagan PP opened a book at Dundalk Town Hall.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, Pope Francis was ordained a priest in 1969. He became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, was made a Cardinal in 2001, and was elected the 266th Pope in 2013.

In 2018, he became the first reigning pontiff since Pope John Paul II to visit Ireland in almost 40 years, a trip that included events at Croke Park, Knock Shrine and the Phoenix Park.

Speaking on behalf of Louth County Council, Cathaoirleach Cllr Kevin Callan said: "Many people across County Louth witnessed Pope Francis’s 2018 visit to Ireland first-hand or travelled to Rome during his papacy. In recent days, he has been rightly remembered as the 'People’s Pope.' His passing, during the Easter holidays, is particularly poignant and will be keenly felt by people around the world."

David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, added: "Pope Francis’s message of hope and empathy left a lasting impression on communities throughout Ireland. This Book of Condolence offers the people of Louth an opportunity to join others worldwide in remembering a truly remarkable life."

The Books of Condolence are now open to the public at County Hall and the Town Hall in Dundalk, as well as the Civic Offices in Drogheda and Ardee Library.

An online Book of Condolence is also available online.