Bishops urge schools to allow pupils attend papal Masses

The Catholic Church in Ireland has called on schools to arrange for pupils to attend religious services for the Pope this Friday.

The Government has told schools that they can decide themselves whether to stay open on Friday or close for the day to mark the funeral of John Paul II.

Ireland's Catholic bishops said, even if schools decide to stay open, they should arrange for pupils to attend Mass or conduct a prayer service themselves for the pontiff.

"The overriding concern of the bishops is that the death of the Holy Father be commemorated appropriately in Catholic schools," Monsignor Jim Cassin said.

"It's up to the local board of management to decide on the way that that would happen."