Gay parents on agenda for Leo talks

LEO Varadkar has said he will tell Pope Francis that Ireland accepts gay parents and will also ask about compensation for victims of Church abuse.

The Pontiff will visit Dublin and Knock on the weekend of August 25 and 26 on the invitation of the World Meeting of Families 2018.

As part of his trip, Francis will visit the Capuchin Day Centre for the homeless in Dublin and the Knock Shrine. However, it is not yet clear whether he will meet victims of clerical abuse.

Mr Varadkar said that while his meeting with the Pope at Dublin Castle could be short, he will express his concerns about issues such as the Church’s involvement in the Magdalene laundries.

‘I’m really glad the Pope is visiting Ireland, the visit is very welcome,’ he said. ‘He is the religious leader of a billion people.’

He added: ‘I’m not sure of the exact details my interaction with him is going to be... If the opportunity arises, I will certainly want to express to him the real concerns that Irish people have on the legacy of the past, in relation to issues such as the Church’s involvement in Magdalene laundries, in mother and baby homes, and sexual and physical abuse, and relay that to him.

‘And also our views in society and the Government’s view that families come in all sorts of different forms and that includes families led by same-sex parents, and one-parent families as well.’