Prospect of Pope Francis visiting Northern Ireland had remained ‘live and open’

Belfast Telegraph - 16:43
The prospect of Pope Francis visiting Northern Ireland remained “live and open” right up until shortly before his death, a priest who helped organise his historic 2018 visit to the island has said.

Father Tim Bartlett said Irish bishops had extended an “ongoing invitation” to the pontiff to come to the region after an initial proposal to journey north of the border seven years ago was shelved because of time pressures.

Fr Bartlett was one of the main co-ordinators of the World Meetings of Families that Francis attended in Dublin in August 2018. He also accompanied him as he made a trip to the west of Ireland to visit the Knock Shrine in Co Mayo.

Pope Francis with Irish President Michael D Higgins in Dublin in 2018 (Danny Lawson/PA)

The cleric, who is cu...
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