Skip to content

In pictures: Pope Francis in Ireland

News imageCharles McQuillan Pope FrancisCharles McQuillan
There was little fanfare as Pope Francis arrived at Dublin Airport for the first papal visit in four decades.
News imageCharles McQuillan Pope FrancisCharles McQuillan
The wind was the first thing to greet Pope Francis as he stepped off Shepherd One onto Irish soil.
News imageCharles McQuillan Pope FrancisCharles McQuillan
Pope Francis is making a return to the country he first visited in 1980 as Father Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
News imageReuters Pope FrancisReuters
There have been protests against the Pope's visit, which comes amid ongoing criticism of the Catholic Church's handling of clerical sex-abuse cases.
News imageCharles McQuillan Archbishop Eamon MartinCharles McQuillan
The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, greeted the Pope at Dublin Airport.
News imageMatt Cardy Pope FrancisMatt Cardy
His first appointment was with Irish President Michael D Higgins, pictured here with his wife Sabina Coyne, at the president's residence, Áras an Uachtaráin.
News imagePope Francis signs guestbook at Áras an Uachtaráin
In a message in the Áras an Uachtaráin guest book, Pope Francis wrote of his "gratitude for the warm welcome".
News imageJeff J Mitchell Pope FrancisJeff J Mitchell
The Pope is due to meet victims of clerical sex abuse, but the Vatican has not said when or where, and campaigners wait to hear what action he will take.
News imageTIZIANA FABI Pope FrancisTIZIANA FABI
Pope Francis and Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar were applauded by political leaders, diplomats and other dignitaries as they arrived at Dublin Castle.
News imageTIZIANA FABI Pope Francis and Taoiseach Leo VaradkarTIZIANA FABI
Mr Varadkar challenged the Pope over clerical child abuse, referring to "dark aspects" of the Church's history. He went on to state that wounds were still open and asked the pontiff to use his influence to bring about "healing, truth and justice".
News imageJeff J Mitchell PopemobileJeff J Mitchell
Crowds lined the streets of Dublin to welcome Pope Francis as he travelled through the city on a brief popemobile tour - but not in the numbers that greeted Pope John Paul II in 1979.
News imageJeff J Mitchell Pope FrancisJeff J Mitchell
There were many supporters of the Pope, who cheered and sang hymns as he approached.
News imageCharles McQuillan Protester at papal visitCharles McQuillan
But there were also protesters. The Catholic Church has been criticised for its attitude towards LGBT people. Here, a man can be seen waving a rainbow flag behind a model of Pope Francis as the Pope toured Dublin. The Republic of Ireland legalised same-sex marriage in a referendum in 2015.
News imageProtest outside Dublin Castle
Savia, a group of survivors and victims of institutional abuse, set up a protest outside Dublin Castle, right on the Popemobile route. Savia chairwoman Margaret McGuckin said each shoe represented a child who had been abused by priests. She said the Church should be held accountable for its actions and cover-up of clerical sex abuse over the years.
News imageParents and baby
Young and old listened on as the Pope addressed married and recently engaged couples at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral.
News imageReuters Pope FrancisReuters
The Pope prayed in front of a candle dedicated to victims of abuse at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral in Dublin.
News imagePAUL FAITH Pope FrancisPAUL FAITH
Pope Francis shares a joke with members of the congregation at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral.
News imageDavid Fitzgerald Nun in Croke ParkDavid Fitzgerald
A crowd of 70,000 people are expected to attend the Festival of Families event at Croke Park on Saturday evening.
News imageStephen McCarthy Croke ParkStephen McCarthy
Attendees take part in a 'Mexican Wave' at the Festival of Families event at Croke Park.
News imageDavid Fitzgerald Croke ParkDavid Fitzgerald
It is the first time Ireland has hosted the World Meeting of Families, a global gathering of the Catholic Church.
News imagePA Pope Francis in Croke Park, DublinPA
Pope Francis addressed crowds on Saturday evening at Croke Park - ending the first day of his visit to Ireland.