Letter from the Speaker regarding Assembly arrangements to mark the passing of Pope Francis

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The Speaker
Room 39
Parliament Buildings
Ballymiscaw
Stormont
Belfast, BT4 3XX

Tel: +44 (0) 28 9052 1130
email: speakersoffice@niassembly.gov.uk

To: All Members

22 April 2025

Dear Member,

Assembly Arrangements to Mark the Passing of Pope Francis

I recognise that many in our community are in mourning following the passing of Pope Francis and it is therefore important that the Assembly has an opportunity to express condolences.

Therefore, after communication with the Party Whips yesterday, the arrangements for the Assembly to mark the passing of Pope Francis are as follows.

At the start of the next Assembly sitting on Monday 28 April 2025, the planned business will be set aside to commence with Condolences on the Passing of Pope Francis.

During this item of business, I will seek to call as many Members as possible who wish to pay their own tribute, beginning with the First Minister, deputy First Minister and Party Leaders.

Once the expression of condolences is complete, the Assembly will then suspend for 30 minutes as a mark of respect.

After this, the Assembly will then resume its normal and scheduled business. Revised indicative timings for the sitting to take account of this change will issue later in the week.

Yours sincerely

EDWIN POOTS MLA
SPEAKER