Michael KellyVatican keen that Ms Madigan’s formal reception by Pope Francis should take place without delay
Ireland’s new ambassador to the Vatican will present her credentials to Pope Francis later this month The Irish Catholic understands. It will be the Pontiff’s first opportunity to give his assessment of the state of the Catholic Church’s relations with Ireland when he delivers a speech during the ceremony.
Emma Madigan is the first Irish ambassador to the Holy See based in Rome since former Tánaiste and foreign affairs minister Eamon Gilmore downgraded relations between Ireland and the Vatican in 2011. However, this controversial decision – which was widely criticised by politicians and Church officials – was reversed earlier this year.
The Irish Catholic understands that officials at the Vatican are keen that Ms Madigan’s formal reception by Pope Francis should take place without delay as a sign of the Holy See’s goodwill. Her predecessor David Cooney – who was based in Dublin – had to wait several months before meeting Pope Benedict XVI in May 2012. At the time, since Mr Cooney was a non-resident ambassador, the Pope did not specifically address Irish-Vatican relations.
It is understood that the Holy See is keen that the newly-upgraded relationship gets off to a good start. Ms Madigan is expected to stay in temporary accommodation in Rome while searching for a suitable residence and building to house the embassy. The historic Villa Spada, long-time home to Ireland’s embassy to the Vatican, now houses the Irish embassy to Italy.
Ms Madigan will be the only Irish diplomat working in the new Embassy to the Holy See. However, she is expected to hire local staff to facilitate the smooth running of the bilateral relationship between Ireland and the Vatican.
Before her appointment as Vatican ambassador, Ms Madigan served as assistant chief of protocol at the Department of Foreign Affairs. She has worked for the department for 14 years, including stints in New York and DFA headquarters in Dublin.
She has also served as vice consul in New York, and as private secretary to the Secretary General, and Deputy Director of Europe and UN Coordination Section.