Mags GarganPope Francis is in “very good form” and while a papal visit to Ireland may seem unlikely for the moment, he continues to pray for the Irish according to the Bishop of Waterford & Lismore.
Bishop Phoncie Cullinan said it was “a beautiful, unforgettable moment” to meet Pope Francis last week while attending a course at the Vatican for recently appointed bishops.
“It was just marvellous,” he told The Irish Catholic.
“He was in very good form and gave us a presentation on the role of a bishop, which was quite comprehensive. He challenged us to be educators in the Faith and ministers of the mercy of God, then greeted all the bishops individually.”
Bishop Phoncie said he was struck by Pope Francis’ stamina and “his willingness to be warm and friendly to every person who came up to meet him. He is a man on a mission”.
The bishop exchanged a few private words with Pope Francis and told him Ireland was praying for him and “he said he is praying for us”.
While Bishop Phoncie said Ireland is “a very small place in the grand scheme of things” he thought it “would be wonderful” to think Pope Francis would visit here. “There are so many needs in the Church around the world, but it would be a tremendous blessing,” he said.