Pope for the Park

Farewell Mass on course for Phoenix Park

Greg Daly and Chai Brady

Pope Francis’ farewell Mass to the Irish people next August is very likely to be held in the Phoenix Park The Irish Catholic understands.

Discussions have been taking place between World Meeting of Families (WMOF18) organisers with State authorities and planners hope that when the Pope’s visit is confirmed the Phoenix Park – one of the largest urban greenfield sites in Europe – will be unveiled as the venue for the closing Papal Mass.

Polls show that some 40% of Irish people say they would like to see the Pope during his expected visit showing an appetite for a large venue.

A number of political sources have confirmed to The Irish Catholic this week that officials in the Department of the Taoiseach have already begun outline planning for this scenario. A memo obtained by The Irish Catholic under the Freedom of Information Act shows that officials are already making the case for addition staff to resource such planning.

It is understood a special liaison group will be appointed by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar within his department to co-ordinate efforts between Church and State to ensure the success of the visit.

Logistics are complicated by the fact that the Pope’s presence is likely only to be confirmed next Spring leaving approximately six-months before the August 21-16 event.

Officials are hopeful that the re-opening of Ireland’s Embassy to the Vatican under the leadership of Ambassador Emma Madigan will make planning easier. Ms Madigan is known to be well-regarded at the Holy See and is highly-respected by senior Vatican officials.

A priest of the Dublin Diocese – Fr Colin Rothery – has also been seconded to the Vatican to help co-ordinate plans from Rome for the WMOF18.

It had been thought that officials might want to plan the Papal Mass for Croke Park. However, it is understood that the stadium will instead be considered as the venue for the concert-style ‘Festival of Families’ on the Saturday evening, with the focus moving to the Phoenix Park the following morning.

Organisers will be keen to avoid comparisons with the 1932 Eucharist Congress and Pope John Paul II’s 1979 visit – both of which saw hundreds of thousands pack into the Phoenix Park for the Masses. Nonetheless, the fact that the park is being considered will be taken as a sign that organisers expect the Pope to draw a huge crowd to the event.  However organisers are at pains to point out that no final decision has been made at this point.