Profound sadness at Knock Shrine over death of Pope Francis

Knock Shrine has this morning issued a statement paying tribute to Pope Francis on his passing.

It stated: "It is with profound sadness that we heard this morning of the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis.

"It was a great honour for us to welcome him to Knock Shrine in 2018.

"When he sat in silent prayer in the Apparition Chapel, the hushed reverence that descended on the large crowd who had gathered for the occasion, was a special moment in the history of the Shrine.

"When Pope Francis elevated the status of Knock Shrine in 2021, he emphasised that “the elevation of the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Knock to an International Sanctuary of Special Eucharistic and Marian Devotion is a great responsibility. You accept to always have your arms wide open as a sign of welcome to every pilgrim who may arrive from any part of the world, asking nothing in return but only recognizing him as a brother or a sister who desires to share the same experience of fraternal prayer.”

"We thank God and Our Lady for the life and legacy of Pope Francis and we will pray for the happy repose of his soul at all of our daily Masses.

"May his gentle soul rest in peace."