Pope Francis will not visit Northern Ireland during August trip

Q Radio news

It's been confirmed Pope Francis will not visit Northern Ireland this summer during an historic trip to the republic. 

His holy father will be in the Republic for the World Meeting of Families on August 25th and 26th. 

He'll deliver a mass in Croke Park after meeting the Irish President, Michael D.Higgins, and will fly to Knock the following day.

The church confirmed the Pope's schedule this morning, saying he won't cross the border to visit Northern Ireland. 

Q Radio understands the political crisis at Stormont has interfered with original plans which would have included events here. 

We reported earlier this year that an historic meeting was due to take place between Pope Francis and members of the Royal Family. 

Pope Francis is "disappointed" he is not visiting Northern Ireland when he travels to the Republic of Ireland in August, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has said.

Details of the Pope's visit to Ireland were announced on Monday.

It was hoped he would visit Northern Ireland as part of the visit, however it was confirmed on Monday by the Vatican that the Pope will not cross the border.

Asked if Pope Francis is disappointed by this, Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin said: "Of course there is disappointment.

"We were hoping this was going to be the opportunity (to visit Northern Ireland). But the pressure of this event has overtaken that."

He added that the Pope has not ruled out the opportunity to visit Northern Ireland on a separate trip.

Announcing the schedule this morning, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said : "Pope Francis is above all a free man. He shows us we can live in a world where faith seems marginal and yet manage to touch hearts and challenge them to reflect on and discern those fundamental values vital for society.

"What he does is to find ways in which he can win hearts for what the teaching of Jesus involves, not through imposing and judging, but through winning and attracting.

"Pope Francis said to me that he considers the World Meeting of Families as a gift to the Irish Church.

"His idea, however, is not that we will receive a gift to be placed in a glass-case for ourselves.  He looks on the World Meeting of Families as a gift that the Irish Church can then share with others."