Pope meets with Ireland's state and civil authorities and member

Pope Francis was welcomed here by the Prime Minister or Taoiseach, who accompanied  him to a room where he signed the book of honor with the words:

With gratitude for the warm welcome I have received, I assure you and the people of Ireland of my prayer that the Almighty God may guide and protect you all.

He then went to St Patrick’s Hall where about 250 political, civil and religious authorities and members of the Diplomatic Corps had gathered.

Leo Varádkar, Ireland’s Prime Minister, or Taoiseach, greeted Pope Francis, and then Pope Francis greeted those gathered.