Popemobile will parade through city during visit
POPE Francis is to make a public tour through Dublin in his Popemobile when he comes here in summer.
The Pontiff will travel through the city centre on August 26, just before he makes his way to say Mass in Phoenix Park, the Irish Daily Mail understands.
It is understood the Popemobile will travel along O’Connell Street, where thousands of people are expected to line the road to catch a glimpse of the Pope.
A senior security source said: ‘The route is currently being finalised, but it will be similar to the St Patrick’s Day parade route – a tried and tested route.
‘Perhaps they will start off at the Garden of Remembrance, down through O’Connell Street and into Dame Street and then on to Christ Church.
‘It will most likely go in a circle and then we will lead off onto the Phoenix Park for the Mass.’
The source continued: ‘It’s about making sure there is maximum capacity on the route, maximum security is also necessary and the Pope will travel in his own personal car [Popemobile], which is protocol on trips like this. We are expecting huge crowds to line the streets that the Pope will be able to be see and wave at.’
Gardaí believe protesters may also turn out for the visit, especially if the electorate votes No in this month’s referendum on the Eighth Amendment, which guarantees the equal right to life of the mother and the unborn.
The source explained: ‘The Popemobile will be used for this part of the trip as this would be protocol for such trips like this.
‘It’s a security measure but we expect the tour of the city to be an enjoyable experience for pilgrims and the Pope. The route is a safe and tested one, given the management system that we have in place for the annual St Patrick’s Day parade.
‘We want the visit to run as smoothly as possible.
The Mail also understands the Pope will pay a visit to Knock, Co. Mayo, during his two-day trip to Ireland on August 25 and 26, but it is not yet known whether this part of the trip will be in private or if it will be another public event.
Pope Francis is also expected to visit the Capuchin Day Centre, which is one of Dublin’s main homelessness services.
It is also expected the Pontiff will meet the homeless when he visits, but this is likely to be a private event at night.
Brother Kevin Crowley, who founded the centre in 1969, said the Pope’s visit would be for the people who use the facility every day and would offer the homeless community a huge boost.
During the Pope’s stay, he will also visit Croke Park for the World Meeting of Families and say a public Mass in the Phoenix Park.
This will be the first Papal visit to Ireland since Pope John Paul II came here in 1979. During his twoday visit, Pope Francis will also meet Leo Varadkar.
The Taoiseach will speak in private with the Pope before they join a wider audience of Government ministers and other political parties for a banquet at Dublin Castle. The castle has been through a series of security checks in recent weeks in preparation for the meeting and banquet.
The Mail understands that a meeting between the Pope and the Taoiseach, along with representatives from all other political parties, is to take place in private at Dublin Castle on Saturday, August 25.
During the last Papal visit to Ireland, Pope John Paul ll celebrated Mass at the Phoenix Park in Dublin on September 29 1979.
The original Popemobile was designed by OBAM vehicle builders in Co. Cork. They were given the job of designing the vehicle for the first visit of a Pontiff to Ireland, 39 years ago.
For the Popemobile in 1979, the design was loosely based on a Roman chariot, with the Papal crest on the exterior.
It had to carry John Paul II and his 15 passengers and was more than six metres long.
The vehicle used by Pope John Paul II to weave past crowds of devout followers during his 1979 visit is now being used for city tours ‘complete with rooftop viewing balcony’.
The yellow converted truck was made especially for Pope John Paul II’s visit – during which he his address to call for an end to violence. The current Popemobile – or Papamobile in Italian – is armour-plated, a measure brought in after the failed 1981 assassination attempt on John Paul II.
The elevated chair, behind bullet-proof glass, allows the Pontiff to be seen by crowds. He is accompanied inside the car by two security guards at all times.
It’s not yet known if a new Popemobile is being made here in Ireland or if one will be flown in for the visit.
Stricter security is expected to be in place for Pope Francis’s visit in comparison to the 1979 events when Pope John Paul II came to Ireland.
‘The route is safe and tested’ Pope will meet the homeless