Members of the Legionary of Christ who attended the Apostolic Nuncio's funeral. Photograph: Dara MacDonaill
The President, Mrs McAleese, led mourners yesterday at the Requiem Mass in Dublin's Pro-Cathedral for the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, the Most Rev Luciano Storero. Dr Storero (74) died at the Mater Private Hospital in Dublin on Sunday.
Also in attendance were the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, who gave the second reading. The deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Royston Brady, was also present. The Defence Forces were represented by the Chief-of-Staff, Lieut Gen Colm Mangan. The Assistant Commissioner, Mr Jim McHugh, represented the Garda.
The President and the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, both attended the Nuncio's removal on Monday.
The Mass was presided over by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Desmond Connell. The principal concelebrants were the Primate of All-Ireland, Archbishop Sean Brady; Archbishop Carlo Vigano representing the Vatican's Secretariat of State; Dr Piergiorgio Debernardi, Bishop of Pinerolo in Italy where the Nuncio came from; and Mgr Anselmo Guido Pecorari, charge d'affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Ireland.
Also among the concelebrants were Archbishop Pablo Puente, Apostolic Nuncio in Britain, and Archbishop Thomas White, a retired Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand. Among the other Irish bishops concelebrating the Mass were the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, Dr Martin Drennan, Dr Donal Murray, Dr Gerard Clifford, Dr Laurence Forristal, Dr Donal Lamont, Dr John Magee, Dr Willie Lee, Dr Larry Ryan, Dr Jim Moriarty, Dr James McLoughlin, Dr Patrick Walsh, Dr Eamonn Walsh, Dr John Buckley, Dr Thomas Finnegan and Dr Gerard Brooks.
Other Christian denominations were represented by Dean John Paterson for the Church of Ireland, the Rev Robert MacDermott for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Rev Thomas Kingston for the Methodist Church in Ireland, Father Ireneu Craciun for the Greek Orthodox Church, Mr David Poole for the Religious Society of Friends, and Mr Howard Secomes for the Salvation Army.
A large number of representatives from the Diplomatic Corps present included the Dean of the Corps, His Excellency Mr Daniel Dultzin Rubin, ambassador of Mexico.
Among other countries represented at the Mass were the United States, UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Norway, Estonia, India, Korea, the Czech Republic, Greece, Austria, the Netherlands, Portugal, Iran, Israel, Austria, Cyprus, Egypt, the Palestine Territories and Denmark.
Also present were Mr Austin Currie TD and Senator Joe Doyle, both of Fine Gael.
A message of condolence from Pope John Paul was read at the Mass.
In his homily, Archbishop Connell said Dr Storero had been "powerfully moved by the gracious gesture of Her Excellency the President in coming to visit him shortly before he died. He also deeply appreciated the Taoiseach's call and his readiness to assist him in returning home to Italy."
The Nuncio had planned to return home last weekend, having been allowed early retirement due to his illness.
The coffin, draped in the Vatican colours, was carried from the Pro-Cathedral by a party of eight Army cadets. It was then taken to Dublin Airport under Army escort for transport to Italy where Dr Storero was to be buried in his home town of Dubbione-Pinasca, near Turin.
The book of condolences will remain open in the Apostolic Nunciature at 183 Navan Road, Dublin, from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. to 4 p.m. today.
