VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis’ brief visit to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families Aug. 25-26 will include a quick trip to the Marian shrine at Knock and a special meeting with homeless families.
“One of the most beautiful sights at Knock is to see families, sometimes the three generations, praying and enjoying the peace and tranquility of the shrine,” Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam, custodian of the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock, told reporters in Dublin June 11, the day the pope’s itinerary was published.
The apparition at Knock in 1879, he said, “was family apparition.” Fifteen people in the village said they saw the apparition of Mary, Joseph, a lamb representing Jesus, and St. John the Evangelist, to whom Jesus entrusted Mary as his mother.
Keeping his custom of setting aside time for the poor and others in particular need, Pope Francis also will visit a day center for homeless families in Dublin.
The following is the pope’s schedule as released by the Vatican. The times listed are local, with Eastern Daylight time in parentheses:
Saturday, Aug. 25 (Rome, Dublin)
— 8:15 a.m. (2:15 a.m.) Departure by plane from Rome’s Fiumicino airport.
— 10:30 a.m. (5:30 a.m.) Arrival at Dublin International Airport and official welcome.
— 10:45 a.m. (5:45 a.m.) Transfer to Aras an Uachtarain, the presidential residence.
— 11:15 a.m. (6:15 a.m.) Arrival at the presidential residence. Welcome ceremony in front of the main entrance.
— 11:30 a.m. (6:30 a.m.) Courtesy visit with the president.
— Noon (7 a.m.) Transfer to Dublin Castle.
— 12:10 p.m. (7:10 a.m.) Meeting with authorities, civil society leaders and members of the diplomatic corps in Dublin Castle. Speech by pope.
— 3:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m.) Visit to St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral. Greeting by pope.
— 4:15 p.m. (11:15 a.m.) Transfer to the Capuchin Fathers’ day center for homeless families.
— 4:30 p.m. (11:30 a.m.) Private visit to the day center for homeless families.
— 7:30 p.m. (2:30 p.m.) Arrival at Croke Park stadium.
— 7:45 p.m. (2:45 p.m.) Festival of Families in Croke Park stadium. Speech by pope.
Sunday, Aug. 26 (Dublin, Knock, Dublin, Rome)
— 8:40 a.m. (3:40 a.m.) Departure by plane for Knock.
— 9:20 a.m. (4:20 a.m.) Arrival at Knock airport.
— 9:45 a.m. (4:45 a.m.) Arrival at Knock shrine. Visit to the chapel. Recitation of the Angelus on the square in front of the shrine. Greetings by pope.
— 10:45 a.m. (5:45 a.m.) Transfer to Knock airport.
— 11:15 a.m. (6:15 a.m.) Departure by plane to Dublin.
— 11:50 a.m. (6:50 a.m.) Arrival at Dublin International Airport. Lunch with the papal entourage.
— 2:30 p.m. (9:30 a.m.) Arrival at Phoenix Park.
— 3 p.m. (10 a.m.) Mass in Phoenix Park. Homily by pope.
— (No time specified) Meeting with bishops in the convent of the Dominican Sisters. Speech by pope.
— 6:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m.) Arrival at Dublin International Airport. Farewell ceremony.
— 6:45 p.m. (1:45 p.m.) Departure by plane for Rome.
— 11 p.m. (5 p.m.) Arrival at Rome’s Ciampino airport.
