Majority would oppose Papal visit, finds poll

A PAPAL visit to Ireland would be opposed by over half the public in the wake of the Ryan Report, according to a national survey.

The poll, carried out by Newstalk radio, found that 51% of 1,108 people questioned would not welcome Pope Benedict if he were to put an Irish trip on his itinerary any time soon.

While the margin opposed to a visit is small, it stands in stark contrast to the euphoric response his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, received on his historic visit here in 1979 when he was universally welcomed.