Presbyterian Moderator, Right Reverend Dr John Kirkpatrick, has reached out to Archbishop Eamon Martin, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, to offer his condolences following this morning’s news of the death in Rome of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

In his statement Dr Kirkpatrick said:

Many people across the island of Ireland today will be greatly saddened by the news of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict. In making contact with Archbishop Eamon I wanted to pass on my sympathy and express the condolences of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland as we acknowledge the grief being felt by so many of our Roman Catholic neighbours at this particular time.