Following news of the death of Pope Francis, Bishop Sarah said:
“The death of Pope Francis is deeply sad and will be felt by so many in our region and across the world. I have been in touch with my Roman Catholic colleague Bishop Stephen, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, to convey my sorrow and assure him of our prayers in our diocese in such loss and grief. I personally found Pope Francis a great inspiration and we thank God for him. It was so poignant that he was able to give the Easter blessing yesterday in St Peter’s Square to thousands of worshippers in what was to be his final public appearance. May he rest in peace and rise in glory."