Pope Francis departed Ireland at 6:15 p.m. on August 26, 2018, following his two-day apostolic journey to the World Meeting of Families that included stops in Dublin and Knock.
Those bidding him safe travel included the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar; Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, president of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life; Archbishop Eamon Martin, president of the Episcopal Conference of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland; Diarmuid Martin, archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland; Michael Neary, archbishop of Tuam; Kieran O’Reilly, S.M.A., archbishop of Cashel and Emly; and local officials.
Immediately after departure, the Holy Father Francis sent the following telegram to the President of the Republic of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins:
HIS EXCELLENCY MICHAEL D. HIGGINS
PRESIDENT OF IRELAND
DUBLIN
AS I LEAVE IRELAND, I WISH TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO YOUR EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BELOVED PEOPLE OF IRELAND FOR THE WARM WELCOME AND HOSPITALITY I HAVE RECEIVED. WITH THE ASSURANCE OF MY PRAYERS, I INVOKE UPON ALL OF YOU ALMIGHTY GOD’S BLESSINGS OF PEACE, FRATERNITY and PROSPERITY.
FRANCISCUS PP
© Libreria Editrice Vatican
