Papal tribute to Archbishop Treanor shared with mourners at his funeral

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A papal message expressing gratitude for Archbishop Noel Treanor’s “devoted and faithful service” has been shared with mourners at his funeral. “Saddened to learn of the untimely death of Archbishop Noel Treanor, apostolic nuncio to the European Union and former Bishop of Down and Connor, his Holiness Pope Francis sends heartfelt condolences and the assurance of his spiritual closeness to the members of his family, especially his brother John and his sister Mary, and to you, the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the diocese,” he said. “Expressing deep gratitude for Archbishop Treanor’s devoted and faithful service to the people of God in this local church, to wider Irish society, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union, and most recently to the Apostolic See, his Holiness joins you in commending his soul to the loving mercy of Christ the Good Shepherd. “The most important thing is that Noel Treanor was baptised and born into new life in Christ.” Bishop McGuckian also spoke of the archbishop’s “deep commitment to the European project”.