Pope thanks clergy, archbishop and pilgrims for ‘warm welcome’
JUST as one of his predecessors, Pope John Paul, did in 1979, Pope Francis gave his imprimatur and unqualified blessing to Knock Shrine.
After an interlude of silent prayer in the Apparition Chapel, the Holy Father took to a podium and expressed the only two words in English that he spoke during his hour long stay at Ireland’s Marian Shrine.
“Good morning,” he boomed, his voice richly accented.
The multitudes, who had waited in light rain for many hours, waved their papal flags and cheered in response to the greeting.
Then the Pontiff launched into his speech – his words translated into English on the giant screens that dotted the arena.
“I thank God for this opportunity, in the context of the World Meeting of Families, to visit this shrine, so dear to the Irish people.
“I thank Archbishop Neary and the Rector, Fr. Gibbons, for their warm welcome.
“In the Apparition Chapel, I lifted up to Our Lady’s intercession all the families of the world, and, in a special way, your families, the families of Ireland.
Mary, our Mother, knows the joys and struggles felt in each home. Holding them in her Immaculate Heart, she brings them with love to the throne of her Son.”
As a remembrance of his visit, Pope Francis presented a Rosary beads to the shrine.
“I know how important the tradition of the family Rosary has been to this country.
“Who can tell how many hearts of fathers, mothers and children alike have drawn comfort and strength over the years from meditating on Our Lady’s participation in the joyful, luminious, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of Christ’s life,” he said.
As he did in Dublin yesterday (Saturday), the Holy Father referred to the clerical abuse scandal.
He said that in his prayer before the statue of Our Lady in the Apparition Chapel he presented to her in particular all the victims of abuse of whatever kind committed by members of the church in Ireland.
“None of us,” he continued, “can fail to be moved by the stories of young people who suffered abuse, were robbed of their innocence and left scarred by painful memories.
“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 survivors and to confirm every member of our Christian family in the resolve never again to permit these situations to occur.”
After his address, Pope Francis, flanked by the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr. Michael Neary, and Fr. Richard Gibbons, led the assembly in praying the Angelus.
The Angelus concluded with the Apostolic Blessing.
After gifts were exchanged between Pope Francis and Archbishop Neary, the massed assembly sang ‘Our Lady of Knock’.
To loud acclaim, the Pope walked from his waiting car for transfer to Ireland West Airport, leaving behind tens of thousands who were uplifted and overjoyed by his presence.