Billy Graham, who has died at the age of 99, was once branded "an ally of Rome" by former DUP leader Ian Paisley.
Although the founder of the Free Presbyterian Church toured America and formed strong links with some US Baptist churches, he criticised the evangelist for his efforts to meet and work with members of Catholic clergy.
Mr Graham had been suffering from cancer, pneumonia and a number of other illnesses.
In a 1972 article, Mr Paisley claimed Dr Graham had "departed completely from the Reformation viewpoint concerning the Church of Rome".
"He looks upon that Church as a Christian Church, and when Roman Catholics profess conversion at his campaigns he directs them back to the Roman Catholic Church."
When Mr Paisley passed away in September 2014, Mr Graham's son Franklin - president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association - described the unionist leader as "a powerful politician and a towering figure in the Northern Irish peace process".
"But most important, he was a preacher of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ," he said.
"While I was preaching in Belfast, Ireland in 2008 he invited me to his office. He was a man of deep conviction and great boldness. His leadership will be greatly missed."
The GREAT Billy Graham is dead. There was nobody like him! He will be missed by Christians and all religions. A very special man.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2018
Spokesman Mark DeMoss said Mr Graham died at his home in North Carolina on Wednesday morning.
US president Donald Trump tweeted: "The GREAT Billy Graham is dead. There was nobody like him! He will be missed by Christians and all religions. A very special man."
