Pope Francis Visit to Ireland
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Pope Francis plane arrived in Dublin on the 25 th day of August 2018
The national airline Alitalia touched down in Dublin Airport at 10 30 am for the two day visit to Ireland
This visit by the head of the catholic church is almost 4 decades since Pope John Paul arrived here back in 1979
One million people turned out on the day to see him in the Phoenix park in Dublin.
This site is where the papal cross now stands high and has been a landmark in the national park alongside the Wellington
Monument.
On the arrival of the Pontiff he was greeted by religious delegates and members of government
including the lord mayor of Fingal Gardaí Military and Dublin Airport staff.
The Garda roads policing unit were on hand to escort him on his many visits throughout the capital
He also brought a delegation of news and press personnel along with his own security staff .
Schedule of the visit of Pope Francis listed below.
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The pope has a busy schedule ahead as he visits Dublin Castle. the Pro Cathedral. Government buildings.
Also the Capuchin day center on Dublin's Church street and a family peace concert in Croke park in Dublin.
A visit to the shrine at the basilica in Knock county mayo is also on his itinerary
The main event is mass at the papal cross in the phoenix park attended by an estimated
half a million people from all over Ireland
Pope Francis will be the main celebrant of this mass.
The pope intends to travel through the city in the pope mobile also used by John Paul back in 1979
this gives the people an opportunity to see him close up as he passes by.
Civil Defence help to curtail traffic restrictions in Dublin
The Parade
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The parade started after the popes visit to the Pro Cathedral .
It wound its way down the main street O Connell street into college green up dame street
past Christchurch cathedral and finished on church street .
the estimated number of onlookers was put at 100 thousand.
See photos below of the papal parade.
Crowds line Dublin's Dame street
Observing the crowds
Start of the cavalcade
Pope Francis waves from the pope mobile
The pope mobile passes by
Flags and bunting deck the streets
Papal flag hangs from a window gretting the pontiff
Garda mounted unit on patrol
The Church and its followers
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The church has received bad press over the years as many scandals came to light leading to a fall of in
parishioner's attending mass . this has also led to a drop off in vocations leaving churches closed during the day
Pope Francis touched on this matter today during his mass in Dublin. He asked the congregation for forgiveness for abuse by the clergy and other Church members.
In Summary attendance was below numbers anticipated
Croke park 82.500
Knock 45.000
Phoenix Park 130.000
Tickets distributed for Phoenix Park were 500.000
Non attendees. . 350.000