Decision to reopen Vatican embassy not imminent, says Kenny

A decision to close the Irish embassy to the Vatican will not be revisited in the near future, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said, despite calls from his backbenchers to review it.

The Taoiseach repeated his promise that if he were to attend the International Eucharistic Congress, which takes place in Dublin in June, or any subsequent events “the Government will of course treat his holiness with the respect that his status and office require”.

Mr Kenny said the relationship between the Government and the Church is “far more real and understanding” than it has ever been.