Cumbrian MPs and religious figures have paid tribute to the late Pope Francis.

The death of the Pope Francis at 88 from a stroke and heart failure ends the tenure of the 266th Pontiff, who was the first from the Southern Hemisphere, Americas and Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order).

Pope Francis, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936 in Argentina died on April 21, 2025.

The MP for Penrith and Solway Markus Campbell-Savours paid his respects saying: “May Pope Francis rest in eternal peace. The head of the Catholic Church was dedicated to compassion, peace and social justice.”

While the Carlisle MP Julie Minns said: “My condolences go to catholics across Carlisle and north Cumbria and the millions more across the world mourning the death of Pope Francis today.

“May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”

The Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister, paid tribute to Pope Francis by reflecting on the statement released by the Prime Minister.

In which the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer said: “Deeply saddened to hear of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. His tireless efforts to promote a world that is fairer for all will leave a lasting legacy. On behalf of the people of the United Kingdom, I share my sincerest condolences to the whole Catholic Church.”

The Bishop of Lancaster, Bishop Paul Swarbrick of the Catholic Dioceses of Lancaster, which covers Cumbria paid respect to their Holy Father saying: “It is with great sadness that we learned this morning of the death of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, following a period of ill-health.

“Yesterday, on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis made a brief appearance at St Peter’s Square to bless thousands of people gathered in Rome to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord.

“May he now rest in the peace of the Risen Christ whose faithful servant he has been.

“We are deeply grateful for the life and service of Pope Francis. While we mourn his loss, we are thankful for his steadfast witness and legacy.

“His life of discipleship, and then leadership, within the Church saw him accept responsibility from the Lord as a Jesuit, a priest, a bishop, and finally as successor to St Peter.

“His firm resolve and challenging teaching on issues including care for creation, the sexual abuse of children, and insights into intimacy of human relationships, saw the Pope broaden opportunities for dialogue within the Church, and with people and groups from outside of the Catholic Church.

“Masses for the repose of the Pope’s soul will be offered across the churches of our Diocese in the coming days.

“We entrust Pope Francis to the Father of all mercies and pray for the happy repose of his soul.

“Please remember Pope Francis in your prayers.”

The Acting Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, offered his thoughts and respect saying: “Pope Francis was an inspiration to us all as a disciple and ambassador of Jesus Christ.

“I give thanks for his tireless work, for his example of joyful faith and his sharing of the hope we have in Christ.

“May he rest in peace, and rise in glory.”

The other religious body’s in the county joined in with the North Cumbria Methodist Circuit saying: “It is with sadness that we hear of the passing today of Pope Francis.

“We pray for the Catholic Church as they mourn the death of their leader and prepare the process for appointing his successor.

“May Pope Francis rest in peace and rise in glory.”

As St George’s United Reformed Church in Carlisle echoed the statement released from their national body with: “We pray with our Catholic friends today mourning this man of deep faith.”

The Cardinal will now gather in the Vatican City to elect the next successor to the throne of St Peter as the funeral plans for Pope Francis are announced.