Top of the Popes His Eminence prays for Church sex abuse victims
People travel from across the world to rejoice
On the plane I had a dream me and him went on an absolute rager in temble Bar
ONE OF THE CROWD VISITING FROM AUSTRALIA
CROWDS lined the streets for the Pope’s open-top tour of Dublin city centre as he waved from his white Popemobile yesterday afternoon. Papal fever grabbed the capital as people took up their position, some from early morning, waiting for a glimpse of the 81-year-old pontiff. There was an air of excitement as the Popemobile travelled down O’connell Street, up Dame Street, past Christchurch Cathedral, down Bridge Street and on to Church Street. Many of the wellwishers had travelled thousands of miles in the hopes of getting a prayer or getting a blessing. Best pals Mary and Claire had travelled from Wolverhampton for the event.
Mary said she had seen Pope John Paul II in Phoenix Park in 1979, as well as seeing Pope Benedict in
Birmingham. The veteran pilgrim said: “I think Pope Francis is good; he’s a good change.”
Nuala, from Donnybrook, told how she was close to the Pope in the Pro Cathedral: “It was fabulous, I got his blessing.
“He comes across as very genial and relaxed. We like him a lot, personally. I saw John Paul II in Phoenix Park in 1979. I was there for the Mass and the very beginning when he arrived in the park. I was with my lovely sister-in-law and niece and nephew, who have sadly died since.
“I’m going to watch tomorrow’s Mass on television.”
One man from Hobart, Australia, said he was planning on asking the pontiff if he’d be up for a few pints.
He said: “I was over to visit some family and I was sitting on the plane. I had this dream me and him went out on an absolute rager in Temple Bar.
“I thought ‘I better go and see the guy’, you never know until you ask, he might be up for having a few drinks
with the lads. I’ll just ask him if he wants to pop around the corner and get some sauce, and see what he says.
“He can only say no and he might even say yes.”
The streets were abuzz as the Popemobile made its journey to the Capuchin Day Centre before heading to Croke Park for the pontiff ’s address at the World Meeting Of Families.
Earlier, Pope Francis spread a message of love and hope among 350 recently married couples and those preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage at St Mary’s Pro Cathedral.
Newly engaged couple Louise O’farrell, 30, and James Hogan, 33, said they were delighted to attend. They said: “It’s a very special day. This is a bit more intimate. We have been in Rome before but never imagined meeting him.”
The Pope spent a few moments praying alongside the Candle of Protection, the candle lit in 2010 in memory of victims of sexual abuse.
It was one of two particularly poignant moments during the first day of his visit – the other being his visit to the Capuchin Day Centre on Church Street. At the Pro Cathedral he was greeted by a couple celebrating their golden jubilee.
Another couple who spoke before attending the service, Victoria and Conor Dwyer from Clontarf in Dublin, said they are happy to raise their children and follow the church’s teachings.
The Dwyers, who brought their fivemonth-old son Danny with them to the service, said: “We like to live our lives as good as we can and bring a little one up in it as well. The human side of the Church is not perfect but in terms of spirituality and a guide to live your life by you need guidance.
“Our faith is about loving, caring, and sharing those kind of positive messages.”
Pope Francis spoke to those in attendance about the importance of marriage: “Of all the kinds of human fruitfulness, marriage is unique. It is about a love that gives rise to new life. “It involves mutual responsibility for the transmission of God’s gift of life, and provides a stable environment in which new life can grow and flourish.
“Marriage in the Church, that is, the sacrament of matrimony, shares in a special way in the mystery of God’s eternal love.”
He later added: “We know that God has a dream for us and for the whole human family. Please, never forget this. God has a dream for us and he asks us to make it our own.”
The pontiff will fly to Knock this morning then return to Dublin to say Mass in Phoenix Park where up to 500,000 people are expected to attend.