President Michael D. Higgins has led Ireland's tributes to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who has died aged 95.
As pope, Benedict headed the Catholic Church from 2005 until his decision to retire in 2013.
Said Higgins in a statement: “It is with sadness that Catholics around the world will have learned of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
"At this time of the return of war on our continent and in so many areas of the world, he will be remembered for his untiring efforts to find a common path in promoting peace and goodwill throughout the world, including a steadfast interest in peace in Northern Ireland.
"He will be remembered too for the value he attached to intellectual work and for the personal commitment he gave to such within the Roman Catholic Church, this work being respected by both supporters and critics.
"Of particular importance was that during his tenure, Pope Benedict sought to highlight both the common purpose of the world’s major religions and his injunctions as to how our individual responsibilities as citizens require the highest standards of ethics in our actions.
"May I extend my condolences to his family, to Pope Francis, to Archbishop Eamon Martin, to his friends and colleagues, and to all members of the Catholic faith both in Ireland and across the world.”
