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| Pope Francis 'to visit Ireland in 2018' says Irish PM | Pope Francis 'to visit Ireland in 2018' says Irish PM |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Pope Francis is to visit Ireland in August 2018, the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) has said. | Pope Francis is to visit Ireland in August 2018, the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) has said. |
| Enda Kenny broke the news after a meeting with the Pope at the Vatican on Monday, Irish broadcaster RTÉ has reported. | Enda Kenny broke the news after a meeting with the Pope at the Vatican on Monday, Irish broadcaster RTÉ has reported. |
| However, at this stage, the Irish Catholic press office refused to confirm the visit would take place. | However, at this stage, the Irish Catholic press office refused to confirm the visit would take place. |
| Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he believed the Pope would cross the border and visit Northern Ireland. | Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he believed the Pope would cross the border and visit Northern Ireland. |
| When asked by journalists why he was so certain, Mr McGuinness replied: "I've been around a long time and I know how these things work." | When asked by journalists why he was so certain, Mr McGuinness replied: "I've been around a long time and I know how these things work." |
| World Meeting of Families | |
| Mr Kenny tweeted that the Pope "has been an important voice for the young, the poor and disadvantaged". | Mr Kenny tweeted that the Pope "has been an important voice for the young, the poor and disadvantaged". |
| "Glad he will visit Ireland in 2018," added Mr Kenny. | "Glad he will visit Ireland in 2018," added Mr Kenny. |
| The timing coincides with the World Meeting of Families in Dublin in almost two years' time. Since its inception in 1994, there has only been one occasion when the pontiff did not attend the meeting. | The timing coincides with the World Meeting of Families in Dublin in almost two years' time. Since its inception in 1994, there has only been one occasion when the pontiff did not attend the meeting. |
| It is understood that the Vatican does not confirm a papal visit until six months before it is scheduled to take place. | It is understood that the Vatican does not confirm a papal visit until six months before it is scheduled to take place. |
| In an earlier briefing on the World Meeting of Families, the Vatican said the Pope's programme was normally announced just a few months prior to any event. | |
| The Pope had expressed his desire to visit Ireland and such a visit would bring great joy to Irish Catholics and others, said the briefing. | |
| However, given the age of Pope Francis, a visit in 2018 would inevitably have a more restricted programme than that of Pope John Paul II in 1979, it added. | |
| Meanwhile, the DUP said it would be up to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to organise any papal visit to the United Kingdom. | |
| No such visit is currently scheduled, said a spokesperson. |