Irish leader attends papal audience; no personal meeting

September 24, 2012

Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) Enda Kenny attended a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI on September 22 along with other members of the Christian Democrats International but did not meet personally with the Pontiff.

The Irish leader’s visit to Rome had been heavily anticipated in Dublin, where it was seen as an opportunity for Kenny to mend fences after his angry denunciation of the Vatican last year in a speech that provoked diplomatic tensions between the Vatican and the Irish government. But in fact Kenny did not have an opportunity for a one-on-one conversation with the Pontiff.

After addressing the members of the Christian Democrats International as a group(see today’s separate CWN headline story), Pope Benedict—still showing signs of fatigue after his trip to Lebanon the previous weekend—left the meeting room without greeting the visiting politicians individually.

Kenny offered no comment for reporters after the papal audience.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Taoiseach remains silent after meeting with pope (Irish Times)
• Pope does not greet Irish Prime Minister (Vatican Insider)
• Kenny's meeting with the Pope is a chance to give hope to Catholics (Irish Independent)