Papal tribute at funeral praises dedication of Bloody Sunday priest Edward Daly

A papal tribute to Bloody Sunday priest Edward Daly's dedication to peace and justice has been read out at his funeral.

As a young cleric the future Bishop of Derry waved a blood-stained white rag as a symbol of ceasefire as he led a mortally injured teenage civil rights protester to safety under army fire in January 1972.

The peacemaker and staunch opponent of all violence died on Monday aged 82. Irish President Michael D Higgins and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness were among mourners at a Requiem Mass at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry.

A message from a spokesman for Pope Francis said: "Recalling Bishop Daly's generous and dedicated episcopal ministry in the service of peace and justice, His Holiness joins you in prayerful thanksgiving for his life and in commending his soul to the merciful love of God Our Father."

The cleric's use of a white handkerchief during a massacre of innocent civil rights protesters by soldiers in Derry in Northern Ireland became an enduring image of the conflict.

As a young priest he famously led the group bearing fatally injured Jackie Duddy, 17, to safety.

Paratroopers had opened fire and killed 13 people. Fourteen were injured and another was to die later.

Bloody Sunday has been described as one of the catalysts of IRA recruitment and the 30-year conflict which left more than 3,000 dead and many others injured.

His funeral attracted a large crowd from across Ireland and beyond.

He will be buried in the cathedral grounds afterwards.