Martin: I have no doubt Pope Francis would love to come to Ireland
There has speculation today that Pope Francis might visit Ireland in 2018.
It follows the news that Dublin is to host the World Meeting of Families that year - an event which usually means a papal visit.
It would be Ireland’s first visit from a Pontiff in nearly 40 years.
The Catholic Primate of Ireland Archbishop Eamonn Martin said that they had their fingers crossed ahead of last night's announcement that Dublin would be chosen.
“We were hoping, I’ll put it like that,” he said.
“We had indicated that we would be very, very open to a visit, but more importantly we would be open to hosting the World Meeting of Families in Ireland.
“So I have no doubt that Pope Francis would love to come to Ireland.
“I suppose it depends on his health, how he is at the time, and on his schedule.
“Everyone in Ireland would love to see him here.”
Ministers Richard Bruton, Jan O Sullivan and Michael Noonan all of whom were at an event in Limerick today have fond memories of the visit of Pope John Paul II.
"1979 was the last time, I remember cycling in to see him on that occasion so I would be great to see him again," said Minister Bruton.
Minister O’Sullivan said: “I was having my second child on that morning when he came to Limerick, so unfortunately I didn't see him,"
Minister Noonan said: "My only problem is that last time when he was here in the old racecourse, the Cork people parked out around Raheen and they kind of come around 10 o’clock on, and they invaded The Unicorn (pub), and we ended up with five Cork people sleeping in the front room.”
