I move:
That, as a tribute of respect to the memory of His Holiness Pope John XXIII, Dáil Éireann do now adjourn, and that an expression of its profound sorrow on the death of The Holy Father be sent to His Eminence the Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church.
Unity among Christians was a major aim of the pontificate of Pope John XXIII, and some extent of his success, after a short reign of less than five years, may be gauged from the very deep and sincere concern shown by people all over the world during his final illness. That he brought Christians of all denominations closer together is universally acknowledged. Indeed, he won the hearts of people of all nations and creeds by his sincerity and benevolence.
He gave us, in his personal life, an example of selfless dedication to duty, enlightened by a love for humanity. His zeal for his work, even in the last months of his life, when he suffered sickness and pain, is a continuing inspiration to us all.
His Holiness has provided, not only for Catholics, but for the world at large, the great exhortation to peace set out in the Encyclical Pacem in Terris. In clear and simple language, he has pointed the way towards the peaceful resolution of world problems without compromise of principle. The issue of that Encyclical, his last testament, has been universally acclaimed as one of the most significant and important events of our time.
His other great Encyclical, Mater et Magistra, develops, in the light of modern conditions, the famous Encyclicals Rerum Novarum and Quadragesimo Anno. It defines the social problems facing all national communities and sets out the directive principles by reference to which they should be solved. It draws special attention to the position of those who derive their livelihood from the land and asserts the importance and dignity of agriculture in inspiring words which, I have ventured to suggest, might with advantage be framed in every Irish farmhouse.
Pope John XXIII spent a devoted life, as priest and teacher in the seminary, as Papal diplomatic representative and, above all, as Bishop. He reached the supremacy of the Pontificate without losing the warmth, the tolerance and the humility which endeared him to all whom he met in these varied endeavours.
And, finally, he crowned his life's achievement by a heroic and patently happy acceptance of a painful death by which he entered his eternal reward. The world is immeasurably the poorer by the passing of this truly great and kindly figure.
Ar dheas-láimh Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
