‘We’re either lucky or someone was looking out for us’

THE Pope was looking after us. That was the unanimous chorus of delight and surprise from privileged Irish pilgrims who found themselves witnessing history close up in St Peter’s Square yesterday.

Sisters Claire Ahern and Hilda Clarke from Caherdavin, Limerick, unmistakeable with their tricolours and Ireland T-shirts from World Cup 2002, could hardly believe how their hurried travel arrangements came together.

They arrived in Rome on Wednesday and spent all night queuing to file past the Pope's remains. After 14 hours they got into St Peter's Basilica and decided they would try their luck again yesterday to see if they could get into the square for his funeral.