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Pope Francis 'to visit Ireland in 2018' says Irish PM Pope Francis 'to visit Northern Ireland in 2018'
(35 minutes later)
Pope Francis is to visit Ireland in August 2018, the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) has said. Pope Francis will cross the border to visit Northern Ireland in August 2018, the deputy first minister has said.
Enda Kenny broke the news after a meeting with the Pope at the Vatican on Monday, Irish broadcaster RTÉ has reported. Martin McGuinness told journalists: "I've been around a long time and I know how these things work."
However, at this stage, the Irish Catholic press office refused to confirm the visit would take place. He was speaking after Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Enda Kenny broke news of a papal visit to Ireland after meeting the Pope at the Vatican.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he believed the Pope would cross the border and visit Northern Ireland. However, at this stage, the Irish Catholic press office refuses to confirm the visit will take place.
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 editor of the Irish Catholic newspaper said Northern Ireland would be a vital part of Pope Francis' time on the island of Ireland.
Michael Kelly told Radio Ulster's Talkback: "If a visit to the north wasn't included, the Pope would probably skip the whole island."
He said the Vatican was very much of the view that a visit north of border would be completing the pilgrimage of Pope John Paul in 1979.
At that time, the Pope did not cross the border.
World Meeting of Families
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.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.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.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.
SDLP MLA Alban Maginness told Talkback that things in Northern Ireland had "moved on enormously".
"The Pope will come north and he will be very welcome," he said.
"There is a new mood among Christian believers. The Protestant Churches will be very welcoming. There is a different atmosphere and it will do a lot to excite interest."
Mr Maginness said he hoped the Pope would come to Belfast.
The Evangelical Alliance's David Smyth told Talkback that he had no issue with such a visit, and offered a cautious welcome to it.
"To me, it is an issue of religious freedom," he said. "We say we care a lot about that in Northern Ireland. Not to allow a visit would be strange."
Meanwhile, the DUP said it would be up to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to organise any papal visit to the United Kingdom.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.No such visit is currently scheduled, said a spokesperson.