Pope Francis on August 25, 2018, expressed his happiness about going to Ireland, his 24th apostolic journey. His remarks came on the flight to journalists accompanying the trip.
«Good morning, and thank you for the company, thank you for coming,» the Pope said. «It will be my second Meeting of Families: the first was in Philadelphia, this is the second. And I like to be with families, I am happy for this trip. And also another reason that touches the heart a little: I return to Ireland after 38 years – I spent nearly three months there to practice English, in the year 1980. And for me too this is a good memory. Thank you for your work. Now I would like to greet you…’
This will be a brief but intense trip: a small country but an important country, which has had great influence in the world, both in the Church and in the world,» said Greg Burke, Director of the Vatican Press Office. «There are seventy journalists here, and several have come from Ireland, there are some Irish resident in Rome who are making this journey with us. And I have to say there is great expectation for the trip.»
© Libreria Editrice Vatican
