Watch: Pope Francis mirrors John Paul II by planting oak tree in Áras

The tree-planting tradition dates back to Queen Victoria, who planted the first official tree on the grounds in the mid-1800s.

Pope Francis planted an Irish oak tree on the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin during his visit, became the second Pope to plant a tree on the presidential grounds.

The Pontiff was greeted by president Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina, and the tree-planting ceremony got under way after the Pope was greeted at the president’s official residence.