Taoiseach’s audience with Pope described as ‘cordial’

Staff reporter

While much of the commentary around the Taoiseach’s meeting with Pope Francis on Monday has focused on plans for the Pontiff’s trip to Ireland, discussions were much more wide-ranging – according to the Vatican.

Mr Kenny met with the Pope on Monday for 27 minutes in the Pope’s library in the Apostolic Palace.

According to a communique issued by the Holy See Press Office after the audience, the “cordial discussions” between the Pope and Mr Kenny “evoked the historic bond between the Holy See and Ireland”.

According to the Vatican, both men also “underlined the constant contribution guaranteed by the Catholic Church in the social and educational fields”.

Respect

“Attention was also paid to the importance of the role of Christians in the public sphere, especially in the promotion of respect for the dignity of every person, starting with the weakest and defenceless”, the communique added.

As is customary when the Pope meets heads of government from European Union (EU) member states, the discussion looked at wider issues. “the conversation continued with an exchange of views on Europe, with particular reference to the migratory phenomenon, youth employment and the main challenges that the continent is called to face from a political and institutional point of view”, the Vatican said.

Audience

After the meeting with Mr Kenny, the Pope also welcomed the Taoiseach’s wife Mrs Fionnuala Kenny.

The Taoiseach then later met with the Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for Relations with States (Vatican Foreign Minister).

During the course of the Papal audience, Mr Kenny presented Pope Francis with a print of a Harry Clarke stained glass nativity window from St Patrick’s Church in Kilmaine, Co. Mayo. In turn, the Pope presented Mr Kenny with an etching of St Peter’s Basilica.