Mourners hail Irish peacemaker as two nations honour John Hume

● Pope and Dalai Lama pay tribute to Nobel laureate

John Hume made peace visible for others even in the darkest moments, those at his funeral were told.

Mourners heard that the former SDLP leader and Nobel laureate saved the lives of others through his vision and work.

During his funeral at St Eugene’s Cathedral in Londonderry, Mr Hume was described as a man who made his family “laugh, dream and think”.

Father Paul Farren said that Mr Hume gave his life for his country.

He said: “He focused on unity and peace, and giving that dignity to every person. We should never underestimate how difficult it was for John to cross the road and do what was intensely unpopular for the greater good.

“Even in the darkest moments, when people would have been forgiven for having no hope, John made peace visible for others.”

Mr Hume’s son, John Hume Junior, told those gathered in the cathedral that his father was a Derryman to his core.

Mr Hume added: “If dad were here today, in the fullness of his health, witnessing the current tensions in the world, he wouldn’t waste the opportunity to say a few words.

“He’d talk about our common humanity, the need to respect diversity and difference, to protect and deepen democracy, to value education, and to place non-violence at the absolute centre. He might also stress the right to a living wage and a roof over your head, to decent healthcare and education.”

Messages were also read from former US president Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U2 singer Bono.

Among the dignitaries were Ireland’s president Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Northern Ireland’s First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill.

Others included former

All sides of Irish life joined in honouring peacemaker John Hume, right, at his funeral in Derry yesterday

SDLP leader Mark Durkan and the party’s current leader Colum Eastwood.

Mr Durkan and Mr Hume’s eldest daughter Therese led the readings, while singer Anne Marie Hickey was joined by organist Aidan Watkins and Frank Gallagher, who played the violin.

Pope Francis also paid tribute to Mr Hume.

A statement from the Vatican said: “His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the death of John Hume, and sends the assurance of his prayers to his family and to all who mourn his loss.”

A message from the Dalai Lama was also read during the service. “I was pleased to be able to meet John during one of my several visits to Northern Ireland,” he said.

“It was his leadership and his faith in the power of negotiations that enabled the 1998 Good Friday Agreement to be reached. His steady persistence set an example for all of us to follow.”

“It was his leadership and his faith in the power of negotiations that enabled the 1998 Good Friday Agreement to be reached”

DALAI LAMA