President Higgins says he hopes a new pontiff will build on Pope Francis' 'unfinished business'

President Michael D Higgins said Pope Francis had “unfinished business”, and that he hopes the next pope will build on the steps Francis was able to take during his tenure.

Mr Higgins will be among world leaders and dignitaries to attend the funeral of Pope Francis this weekend. He will be accompanied by his wife, Sabina.

Mr Higgins and his wife signed the book of condolences for Francis in the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin on Tuesday.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Higgins said that, on behalf of the people of Ireland, he thanked Pope Francis for work and his example on “embracing the most important issues”.

“Issues that are at the future of our humanity together, in relation to climate change, in relation to global poverty, in relation to his particular interest in the welfare of migrants,” he said.

Embrace

“I thought of the times we have met and the discussions we had, his ability to embrace the suffering, particularly those who are marginalised. I noted in the way his vision was wider than many people in politics and public life.

“For example, his ending the Doctrine of Discovery was welcomed by all the indigenous people in the world, in different parts of the world, as pushing an end to that appalling time when doctrinal was given to colonialism.”

Mr Higgins described Francis’s visit to Ireland in August 2018 as a “very warm visit”.

“We were all very, very pleased,” he said.

“I think I met him five times, and I value and appreciate all of those conversations.

“What was very interesting about him, when I look back at other popes as well, was the ease with which he had, it’s part of the changes in his own life that he did discuss too, of being able to embrace people most agonised in the world — it was a great capacity.

“I think it’s very appropriate, as President of Ireland, that I would communicate the appreciation of all of the people of Ireland for the generosity of his life, given right until the very last moments of his life.

“I did say, as well, there was unfinished business that I hope that those who follow him will build on the steps he was able to take.”