The Pope should be afforded the same diplomatic courtesy any head of state gets when they visit Ireland, and the Government should open up the coffers an Irish columnist has said.
Although there are some who believe the Catholic hierarchy are a “baleful presence still pulling at the strings” in Ireland, it’s is not the case according to Ian O’Doherty.
Writing in the Irish Independent he put forward that just like Queen Elizabeth and Barack Obama’s visits to the country, the Pope should be afforded the same treatment.
With Leo Varadkar confirming that Pope Francis would be afforded the same supports as any head of state there was “loud and grumpy” rumblings from some according to Mr O’Doherty, who said: “To some, this is a sign that we are still in thrall to the Vatican, and are prepared to jump through hoops for our spiritual masters in Rome. The truth, however, is rather different.”
He said that many people make the mistake that the Church still has the political influence it once had.