“As the remarkable pontificate of Pope Francis comes to a close all the faithful, Religious and clergy of our Archdiocese join in praying for the repose of his soul. We recall with gratitude the Canonisation of St John Henry Newman, Birmingham’s saint, in 2019 by Pope Francis and the late Holy Father’s appreciation for Cardinal Newman’s teachings on the development of doctrine. The Holy Spirit inspired Pope Francis to lead the Church along the Synodal Pathway in fidelity to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and this will undoubtedly remain an important part of his abiding legacy. We also remember Pope Francis’s many ecumenical and inter-religious initiatives as he prayed and worked for the unity of the Church and of mankind and for the respect due to God’s creation. We pray that the Good Shepherd will now welcome the Successor of Peter into the company of saints. May he rest in peace.”