OPINIONS: Laois public share their thoughts on the late Pope Francis

As the late Pope Francis lies in state ahead of his funeral in The Vatican, we asked some Laois people at the Laois Live Well Expo what their views are of the deceased pontiff.

Ambassador for Age Friendly Laois is Anna May McHugh, MD of the National Ploughing Association. She spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live just before she officially opening the expo in Portlaoise on Wednesday, April 23.

"I never met him but I was in the audience in Croke Park when he visited in 2018. I thought it was a lovely way for Pope Francis to die, he first came out and blessed everybody and said goodbye to the people on Easter Sunday. There's no doubt about that.

"He was a very pleasant Pope. I am glad he didn't suffer. I can't say enough about him, we loved him.  He had great time for women, an appreciation and acknowledgement of that. He was very humble. So much that when he was in Dublin he went to visit the soup kitchen. He was great to the poor. He didn't want all the grandour, he had time for everybody," Ms McHugh said.

Olive Lacey is from Luggacurran.

"I thought he was a very good pope. A very humble man. I really admired his interest and passion for the environment and the planet. he published a Humanae Vitae on caring for the planet. He cared for the underprivileged and migrants. There is still work to be done, for women in the church. I'd like to have seen more there, but hopefully he started it. He was quite inclusive," she said.

Victor Gondwe is from Portlaoise.

"He was a humble, kind hearted man. A symbol of peace and of love," he said.

Joe Grant is also from Portlaoise.

"I never met him but I thought he was better than the other popes. He didn't move fast enough for women, but as the fella says, he was dropping puddles in the pond, starting the discussions," he said.

John Grant. 

Read also: 'A Papacy of inclusion and mercy' - Bishop Denis Nulty

Sheila Dunne is from Killenard.

"I thought Pope Frances was a beautiful Pope. He was so good to the poor.

"I watched him on Easter Sunday morning giving his blessing. A few hours later he had passed away. May he rest in peace," she said.

Marie Lacey is also from Luggacurran.

"He should have done more about child abuse. I know he was at the top but it starts at the top. He did know what was going on and he didn't do enough. Or for women priests. Women would be very good in the church. They should be priests, why not?  They are part of the church but they have no power, sure that's no good," she said. 

Ber Kearney is from Mountmellick.

"I just feel kind of sad. We probably have a lot of changes because of Pope Francis. In the church change does take time but it didn't go far enough.

Grainne Kelly described him a "a people's Pope".

"I had great time for him. He lived in a little two bedroom apartment. He is not going to be buried in the basilica," she said.

Colm Kennedy is from Portlaoise.

"His works speak for themselves. He had an affinity with the poor and the dispossessed. He had done great work. On his visit here he apologised for the wrongdoings of church people," he said.

Aoife Kendellen is from Barrowhouse.

"I liked a lot about him. He chose to live simply. He didn't wear the expensive slippers, and he wanted to be interred in the Santa Maria church. That is a testament to him, he was a very simple guy. I think he connected a lot of organisations. He was just as accepting to the LGBT community, he opened his arms to everyone. He was a good man," she said.

Adam Dunne is from Abbeyleix.

"I'm not religous, but he was quite a good Pope, quite progressive. He didn't condemn same sex relationships. As I understand he still considered it sinful but he accepted and loved LGBT people. That is very important for the church to teach and preach these days.  I hope the next Pope is as progressive as he is and not regressive," he said.

The funeral Mass for Pope Francis will take place this Saturday. 'What happens next... '