Gedling borough people will be able to express their sorrow at the death of Pope Francis this week by signing books of condolences in the Civic Centre in Arnold.
The Mayor of Gedling has opened a book of condolences in memory of Pope Francis at the council’s HQ in Arnot Hill Park.
The former head of the Catholic Church died on Monday (21).
He had suffered a serious bout of double pneumonia in recent weeks but his death came as a shock, hours after he greeted crowds while being driven around St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.
The Vatican said he had died from a stroke and subsequent heart failure.
The Pope’s casket is currently lying in state at St Peter’s Basilica for a three-day public viewing before being closed at 7pm UK time on Friday.
The council has since opened the book as a means for the public to pay their respects.
The flags outside the Civic Centre were also flown at half mast yesterday as a mark of respect.
The Mayor has also written to Catholic representatives in the borough expressing his sadness at the Pope’s passing.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17 1936 and was ordained as a priest in 1969.
He was elected in 2013, after first becoming Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and a Cardinal in 2001.
