Pope’s tribute to ‘untiring’ John Hume

In a letter to Derry Bishop, Dr Donal McKeown, the Holy Father said he was “saddened” to learn of Mr Hume’s death.

He added that he was praying for the Nobel laureate’s family and all those grieving his loss.

Meanwhile, the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, has hailed Mr Hume as a “great Statesman”.

Mr Hume’s funeral take splace in Derry this morning. His Requiem Mass will be held in St Eugene’s Cathedral.