Pope visits Knock Shrine

Pope Francis landed at Ireland West Airport en route to Knock Shrine earlier this morning.

The specially chartered Aer Lingus A321 plane carried the Pontiff where his arrival was greeted with loud cheers as the plane emerged from a heavy mist.

There to welcome him to Mayo were Minister Michael Ring, Archbishop Michael Neary, Bishop John Fleming, Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop Brendan Kelly, Bishop John Kirby, Fr. Dermot Meehan, P.P., Swinford, and administrator, Diocese of Achonry, Joe Gilmore, CEO of Knock, Arthur French, chairman, airport board, Councillor Blackie Gavin, cathaoirleach, Mayo County Council, John Dillon, of the airport's board of trustees, John McCarthy, head of operations, Knock airport, his wife Mary and their four children, Saoirse, Michael, Robin and Ruby.

Flying the flag for the local community were 100 children from four nearby national schools – Barnacogue, Cloonlyon, Tavneena and St. Attracta's NS, Charlestown.
The Pope greeted all the children before his entourage departed.

On Day Two of the Pope's visit to Ireland he once again sought to address issues surrounding clerical abuse.

"This open wound challenges us to be firm and decisive in the pursuit of truth and justice.

"I beg the Lord's forgiveness for these sins and for the scandal and betrayal felt by so many others in God's family.

"I ask our Blessed Mother to intercede for the healing of the survivors and to confirm every member of our Christian family in the resolve never again to permit these situations to occur."

he Pope also led the crowd in a recital of the Angelus.

Our sister newspaper The Connaught Telegraph was at Knock today to capture this historic occasion.