Pope to come to Ireland in 2018, says Taoiseach

Mr Kenny also said he raised his past “difficulties” with the church in relation clerical sex abuse, saying that stronger safeguards were now in place.

He visited the Vatican with his wife Fionnuala, chief of staff Mark Kennelly and a small Irish delegation.

Pope Francis has confirmed to Enda Kenny he will visit Ireland in Aug '18. Unclear as of yet though if he'll visit the North too

— Juno McEnroe (@Junomaco) November 28, 2016

The confirmation of the visit to Ireland comes after the Conference of Bishops of Ireland formally previously invited Pope Francis to come here and attend the World Meeting of Families.

Mr Kenny also discussed church state relations with the Pontiff during his private audience with him.

Speaking after to reporters, he explained: “I discussed a range of other matters with him in regard to the state of the Church State relations in Ireland. I explained to him my own difficulties with the Church some years ago and I was happy to conform to him that Church State relations are in a better shape than they were for very many years. That we work very well with the Bishops and the clergy, that there are so many more safeguards in place than there were before and that. I regard these relations as being at a healthier position than they were for many years.”

The two also discussed Brexit as well as climate change and youth unemployment.

Mr Kenny added: “He feels very strongly that young people are the hope for the future and I explained to him that from by perspective Europe should be making its own decisions about where it wants to be in 10 to 12 years time and that Europe, having grown out of two world wars, perhaps some people may have been taking peace for granted that these are fundamental issues.”