'Even though you know someone is very ill or dying, it's still a shock'
The Dean of the Roman Catholic Church on the Isle of Man has paid tribute to Pope Francis who's died at the age of 88.
The Vatican announced his death this morning (21 April) shortly before 9am (GMT).
He became the first Latin-American pope in 2013 and was the first to choose the name Francis.
He first studied to be a scientist, and was outspoken in his support for refugees.
He recently spent more than five weeks in hospital with pneumonia.
In terms of the Isle of Man, Pope Francis granted cathedral status to the Church of Saint Mary of the Isle, following Douglas being awarded city status as part of the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.
"Pope Francis spoke up for the poor, not just in South America but across the world."- Monsignor John Devine
Monsignor John Devine, speaking to Manx Radio following this morning's announcement, has paid tribute:
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