Pope Francis has just arrived in Ireland.
The Pontiff touched down at Dublin airport at 10.30am this morning to commence his 32 hour visit as part of the World Meeting of Families 2018.
During his time in Ireland, the Pope will meet the Taoiseach, visit the Knock Shrine, and give mass to half a million people in Phoenix Park.
Upon his arrival this morning, Pope Francis was greeted by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and a selection of cardinals and bishops. He was also presented with a bouquet of flowers from Tanaiste Simon Coveney’s daughter, Annalise.
He later departed in a Skoda.
.@Pontifex sets foot in Ireland | #popeinireland pic.twitter.com/7yFgGsnVGA
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 25, 2018
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed this week that he would speak to the Pope about clerical child abuse during his meeting with the Pontiff.
He said that many people in Ireland feel excluded from the Catholic church due to the church’s treatment of women in the magdalene laundries, child abuse cover ups, and the church’s history with the LGBT community.
He condemned the abuse and asked God for forgiveness.
Today, the Pope will visit Dublin Castle, Aras an Uachtarain, and Croke Park.
Tomorrow, he will visit the Knock Shrine and Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
