The Archbishop of Glasgow, Most Rev Philip Tartaglia, has died at the age of 70.

He passed away suddenly at his home on Wednesday.

According to the Archdiocese of Glasgow, Archbishop Tartaglia had tested positive for Covid-19 shortly after Christmas and was self-isolating at home.  However, the cause of death is not yet clear.

The Archbishop had served as leader of Scotland’s largest Catholic community since 2012. 

Pope Francis will appoint a new archbishop to succeed Archbishop Tartaglia, but until then the Archdiocese will be overseen by an administrator. 

President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop Hugh Gilbert said in a statement:  “It is with the deepest sadness that we have learned of the death of our brother bishop and friend Philip Tartaglia. His loss to his family, his clergy and the people of the Archdiocese of Glasgow will be immeasurable but for the entire Church in Scotland this is a day of immense loss and sadness.

“He was a gentle and caring pastor who combined compassion with a piercing intellect. His contribution to the work of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland over the past sixteen years was significant and we will miss his wisdom and wit very much.

“On behalf of the Bishops of Scotland, we commend his soul into the hands of God and pray that he may enjoy eternal rest.”