Bono describes John Hume as a ‘giant’

The lead singer of U2, Bono, was among those who sent messages to be read out during the funeral of Nobel Laureate John Hume.
PACEMAKER BELFAST 19/05/98 Unionist leader David Trimble, SDLP leader John Hume and Bono and U2 pictured together on stage at the Waterfront hall in Belfast this evening for a concert to promote a YES vote in the referendum on FridayPACEMAKER BELFAST 19/05/98 Unionist leader David Trimble, SDLP leader John Hume and Bono and U2 pictured together on stage at the Waterfront hall in Belfast this evening for a concert to promote a YES vote in the referendum on Friday
PACEMAKER BELFAST 19/05/98 Unionist leader David Trimble, SDLP leader John Hume and Bono and U2 pictured together on stage at the Waterfront hall in Belfast this evening for a concert to promote a YES vote in the referendum on Friday

Bono appeared in an iconic image of Hume and David Trimble at a concert in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.

The concert was attended by 2,000 young people from across the North and was held to promote a yes vote in the 1998 referendum on the Good Friday Agreement.

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The rock star and the politician remained in contact over the years and Bono sent Hume a hand painted card for his 80th birthday.

The messages read out by Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown including those from the Pope, the Dalai Lama, former US President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The message from Bono described John Hume as a ‘giant’ and a ‘great leader’.

Bono wrote:

“We were looking for a giant and found a man whose life made all our lives bigger.

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We were looking for some superpowers and found clarity of thought, kindness and persistence.

We were looking for revolution and found it in parish halls with tea and biscuits and late night meetings under fluorescence.

We were looking for a negotiator who understood that no-one wins unless everyone wins...and that peace is the only victory.

We were looking for joy and heard it in the song of a man who loved his town so well and his missus even more.

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We were looking for a great leader and found a great servant.

We found John Hume.”

The President, Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, the First and Deputy First Minister’s and other political representatives are among those in attendance at the funeral mass in St. Eugene’s Cathedral this morning.