Our prayers accompany him - President McAleese

President Mary McAleese has issued a statement on the death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II.

She said: “Today marks the end of an extraordinary life which in its mourning must also be celebrated.

“For over a generation, Pope John Paul II was a pillar of the modern world, serving the Catholic Church and the cause of humanity.

“He continued the work of his predecessors in interpreting and implementing the Second Vatican Council, that milestone in the long history of the church.

“The story of Pope John Paul II is that of a man of immense faith and conviction and, in latter years, great personal courage.

“He engaged with human culture and civilisation in every aspect and in every corner of the world.

“His trust in the future, his never-wavering commitment to the worth of each human life and his witness under the burden of personal suffering constituted a sign of great value in the modern age.

“His influence on the history of his beloved native country and on European history is already evident.

“We are proud that Pope John Paul II was the first Pope in history to visit Ireland and that, in the final years of his life, it was his ambition to return to our midst.

“I consider it a wonderful privilege to have met him in person as President of Ireland.

“Pope John Paul II laboured long and fruitfully in the vineyard of this world.

“Our prayers accompany him at the ending of the day as he returns at last to the heart of his Merciful Father.”