Pope to visit Ireland in August
After months of speculation it has been confirmed Pope Francis will be visiting Ireland later this year.
Last updated 21st Mar 2018
The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, will arrive in Dublin on the 25th of August.
But it's not yet known whether the 81 year old will come to Northern Ireland during the trip.
The announcement has been "warmly welcomed" by the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
The Pontiff will be attending part of the 9th World Meeting of Families which takes place In Croke Park in Dublin from the 21st – 26th August.
The next day, Sunday 26th August, he will celebrate Mass in Dublin's Phoenix Park.
Full details of the papal schedule will be released at a later date.
In a statement The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference said:
"On behalf of the faithful of Ireland we warmly welcome today’s announcement, by the Holy Father himself, that he plans to visit Dublin in August for the World Meeting of Families.
"We are deeply honoured that Pope Francis will come to our country to participate in this universal Church celebration of faith and joy, as well as of the contemporary challenges which face families.
"With great anticipation we also look forward to hearing the apostolic guidance of His Holiness during his stay with us.”
The Bishops continued, “Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, as President of the World Meeting of Families 2018, has been charged with undertaking the significant task of organising this global celebration and each of the other 25 dioceses on the island of Ireland is supporting the host diocese to ensure its success for the whole country and for the world.
"We eagerly await the visit of Pope Francis which no doubt will be an occasion of spiritual renewal for our laity, religious and clergy as well as a strengthening of Christian family life."