Hopes of finding the remains of a missing Vatican teenager in the tombs of two 19th-century German princesses have been dashed.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has insisted that diplomatic relations with the Vatican remain “very strong” despite a furore over the closure of Ireland’s embassy to the Holy See.

ON New Year’s Day, Ireland will begin a year-long term as chair of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. This week’s visit to Dublin by Secretary General Lamberto Zannier is part of the quickening of pace of diplomatic preparation.

The Pope will leave hospital tonight, the Vatican said, declaring the 84-year-old pontiff “cured” of the illness that landed him in a Rome clinic for 10 days and rekindled questions about his ability to carry on as head of the Roman Catholic Church.