Guernsey’s Leaders Offer Tributes in Honour of Pope Francis
by Karen Rollins Apr 23, 2025
Flags were flown at half-mast in Jersey on Monday and Tuesday as a mark of respect following the death of Pope Francis.
Francis, who was 88, died of a stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure at 7.35am local time on 21 April, according to the Vatican.
In honour of the late Pontiff, the Bailiff of Jersey, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, ordered all Government, Public and Parish buildings to fly flags at half-mast until 8pm on 22 April.
Sir Timothy stated: “I was saddened on receiving the news of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. His selfless devotion to his faith and to all of those of good intent made him a much loved and respected figure who will be missed not only by the Catholic Community but all who admired his work.”
A memorial service for the late Pope was held at St Joseph and St Mary Catholic Church in Guernsey on Monday. A memorial mass for Francis will be held at Jersey’s St Thomas Church, Val Plaisant on a date to be announced.
Tributes have poured in from around the world since the Pope’s death.
The Catholic Dean of Jersey, Canon Dominic Golding, posted a message on Facebook. He highlighted the late pontiff’s ability to “minister to all of us but especially to those who he said are on the peripheries, those who feel excluded or abandoned by the Church and society.”
He added: “I think of his ministry to migrants and refugees, to the elderly and to Christians such as the Catholic parish of Gaza, who for the last year or so he has telephoned every Sunday evening to assure them of his support.”
Pope Francis, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, will be buried on Saturday 26 April.
