Northern Ireland: Archbishop Sean Brady offered morning Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral Armagh yesterday for the Pope.
He said later: "We are all saddened at this news and by the deterioration in the Holy Father's health. I have just offered Mass with the faithful here in Armagh for his wellbeing, that God may grant him all the graces and blessings that he needs at this moment.
"It is a time for reflection as we admire the courage and the serenity of the Holy Father as he faces yet another bout of illness. He has suffered a lot in his long life, from the time he lost his mother at a very early age and his only brother. All through the communist regime and the second World War.
"Perhaps as the great teacher in the church this is his last teaching when he teaches us the value of suffering. Just last week in his message to priests for Holy Week he urged all of us to unite all our sufferings with the sufferings of Christ. Perhaps he is also teaching us not to dread death but to see it as a gateway into eternal life.
"I have asked people today to pray for the Holy Father to give him the graces, blessings and strength he needs as he faces the greatest challenge and trial." Dr Brady said the Pope made Ireland his third international pilgrimage within a year of his election.
"He came, he said, because Ireland had suffered a lot for the faith. Since then he has always shown his special affection. He had as one of his private secretaries for a number of years Bishop John Magee from Cloyne who is also a native of Co Down.
"Any time I met him he was anxious to inquire about Ireland. . . He knows how much we have suffered for our faith and I think that has always given him a special interest, affection and love. I know the people of Ireland will offer their sufferings in union with his for his wellbeing at this time."
On plans to return to Ireland and to visit the North Dr Brady said the pontiff regarded such a trip as "unfinished business".
In St Peter's Cathedral in Belfast, Mass was celebrated by Mgr Tom Toner using the chalice donated by the Pope on the re-opening of the cathedral last month after renovation.
In Derry the former bishop, Edward Daly, said he provided many with inspiration. "He didn't hide away he appeared in front of people in all his brokenness."
The Former Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Dr James Mehaffey, said the Pope could relate to people regardless of age or denomination.
"He went on these grand tours worldwide, met people and I have reflected about him often and I think he set a great example to all of us, especially those ordained," he said.