THE POPE OF HOPE
»Thousands of the Catholic faithful welcome Francis to Ireland » He tells of ‘pain and shame’ and apologises to abuse victims
POPE Francis apologised to survivors of clerical child sex abuse during a 90-minute meeting in Dublin yesterday.
Earlier the pontiff, 81, spoke of his “shame” at the failure of authorities to tackle the “grave scandal” after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar blasted their failings.
Paul Redmond, who was born in a mother and baby home, said: “We feel hopeful there will be more movement from the Church.”
I hope and expect the visit will be a very powerful moment
MINISTER SIMON COVENEY YESTERDAY
POPE Francis admitted he was delighted to return to Ireland just moments before his Alitalia flight touched down at Dublin Airport yesterday.
The pontiff spent three months in the capital studying English in 1980 and told how he was happy to be back.
His Airbus arrived at 10.26am and Pope Francis, speaking in Italian, addressed Irish and world journalists on board before landing.
He said: “For me, it is the second meeting of families. I was in attendance at the Philadelphia meeting. I like to be with families.
“Secondly, and it touches my heart, I am returning to Ireland for the first time in almost 28 years.
“I stayed for almost three months in Ireland when I was studying English. For me, it was a very good memory.”
A red carpet was rolled out for the 81-year-old’s arrival as senior clerics and other dignitaries greeted him, including Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin and Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin.
Security surrounding the airport was tight and members of the media as well as those on the runway had to undergo security checks and have bags and equipment screened.
It marks the first papal visit to Ireland in nearly 40 years.
The last pontiff to come over was Pope John Paul II, who drew crowds of more than 2.5 million people in 1979.
Speculation over whether Pope Francis would replicate Pope John Paul II’S famous gesture of kissing the tarmac was quickly dispelled as a frail-looking Francis carefully manoeuvred his way down the steps from the aircraft.
The pontiff was met by Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, his wife Ruth and their three daughters Jessica, Beth and Annalise.
Seven-year-old Jessica presented the Pope with a bouquet of flowers, which included thistles, yellow and white roses and green foliage.
Beth, nine, greeted him in Irish, Jessica welcomed him in Spanish and five-year-old Annalise spoke in English.
While Mr Coveney told how it was a “huge privilege” for his family, he also addressed the issues surrounding clerical sex abuse that has been hanging over the papal visit.
He said: “I think it’s been difficult for many people, for victims, for Catholics and many of the clergy.
“But I hope and expect this weekend will be a very powerful
moment. He has a personality that can reach out to Irish people. He’s humble, he’s direct. “And I expect what he says and does will be powerful and make a big impact. I hope it does.” The Bolands, who are attending the World Meeting Of Families, presented him with a vestment they designed for him. The Pope was visibly delighted to be greeted by 11-year-old Jane from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, who was accompanied by her parents and siblings.
She said afterwards he was “really nice” and she would treasure his gift of rosary beads and added they will always be “very special” to her.
Others there to greet the pontiff included Mayor of Fingal and Fine Gael Cllr Anthony Lavin, the Ambassador of Ireland to the Holy See Emma Madigan, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell and Cardinal Sean Brady.
The Skoda vehicle which took the Pope into the capital from Dublin Airport carried a Vatican City registration plate – SCV1.
His second engagement was at Aras An Uachtarain where he signed the visitors’ book and planted a tree.
Pope Francis assured “the people of Ireland of my prayers” in a written message.
President Michael D Higgins then used a private meeting to raise the issue of sex abuse of children by the clergy and he expressed his desire that more action be taken.
The sun shone across the south portico as the Pope was greeted by him and wife Sabina for his first official engagement.
His Holiness received a salute from the Irish Naval Service Guard of Honour and the Army Band played the national anthem of the