From the "IRISH INDEPENDENT":
Pope Francis hopes to begin his historic visit to Ireland in Knock, the Irish Independent understands.Organisers of the pontiff's trip are believed to be exploring the idea of having him fly directly to the west of Ireland rather than Dublin as anticipated.There has been much speculation about the type of welcome the Pope will receive - but sources say as many as 650,000 people will want to see him in the Phoenix Park on August 26.
It has been confirmed that the first papal visit in nearly 40 years
will take place to coincide with the World Meeting of Families in Dublin
between August 21-26. Pope Francis (81) is scheduled to take part in a
ceremony in Croke Park on August 25, before celebrating Mass in Phoenix
Park the following day.
Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass at Knock shrine during his visit in
1979. He described his time at the site where a group of local people
saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1879 as "the goal of my journey
to Ireland". It is estimated 450,000 people attended an outdoor Mass that marked the centenary of that event. Pope Francis has prayed at a number of Marian shrines while on tours
to other countries, including last year when he made a pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal.
It is likely that if the Pope flies directly from Rome to Knock, he
will then use air transport to get to Dublin in time for a ticketed
event in Croke Park. His itinerary in the capital is also expected to include a visit to the Capuchin Day Centre, run by Brother Kevin Crowley. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has confirmed the Pope wants to visit a prison during his time here, most likely Mountjoy.
Some disappointment has been expressed that there is no suggestion at
this point that the Pope will travel into Northern Ireland. Pope John Paul II was unable to cross the Border for safety reason in 1979. Many had hoped that the current head of the Catholic Church could make the journey, but it is not currently on the agenda. Archbishop Martin has noted that Pope Francis is 81 years old, "so the amount of things he can do is limited".
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