Pope Francis is a global star, says top cleric

Some people see Pope Francis as a “global religious star”, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said when discussing the pontiff’s pastoral visit to Ireland next month.

The archbishop said many people would want to see any pope who was coming to Ireland but Pope Francis had a special appeal for some people.

“He is a sort of global religious star whose simple humanity and human warmth attracts. Pope Francis, who is over 80 years old, appears as a modern pope and people like that,” said Dr Martin.