Mary McAleese: Pope Francis a disappointment on women

Former President Mary McAleese said she cannot go to the World Meeting of Families when the Pope visits Ireland in August, as it does not include LGBTI people.

She said: “[The] World Meeting Of Families, here was he [the Pope] saying it was for all God’s family no matter what you believe, no matter what your set of circumstances, whether you’re LGBTI, whether you’re divorced and remarried, whether you’re like Martin and I, a heterosexual couple married for 45 years, living the life, living the dream now, having the kids reared, whatever your circumstances you’re welcome.

“And if you’re like us a family with two heterosexual children and one homosexual son who’s married to his husband, you’re in, you’re members of God’s family, come along. I just thought this was so exciting. I was riveted by it. Then somebody else put a hand on that and it was pulled back.”