Taoiseach joins mourners in memorial mass for Pope

The Pope’s death has deprived the Irish people of his final message to them, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern heard tonight.

Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin told the State’s main memorial service at the city’s Pro-Cathedral: “We do not know what Pope John Paul II might have said to us had he been able to realise his desire to return to Ireland.”

Dr Martin was joined in concelebrating the Solemn Remembrance Mass by the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto.

Also present was President Mary McAleese, Tánaiste Mary Harney, Lord Mayor of Dublin Michael Conaghan as well as members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of other churches.

Dr Martin said of the late Pontiff: “He was concerned for the situation of faith in Ireland. He was concerned about Irish society in the future.

“I am sure today he would not want an Ireland looking back nostalgically at his visit, but looking forward, realistically but with courage and hope, to the future.”

The packed congregation heard Dr Martin say the Pope never forgot his visit to Ireland in September 1979 and took an interest in the country’s progress.

The Vatican had agreed “in principle” that the Pontiff would make a return trip this year if he was well enough.

Earlier, President McAleese and her husband Martin signed a book of condolences at the Apostolic Nuncio Guiseppe Lazzarotto’s residence in north Dublin.

As several church services take place across the State, Irish bishops today welcomed the option the Government has given for Catholic schools to close on Friday.

But the Commission for Education of the Irish Episcopal Conference recommended that if a school remains open students should attend Mass where possible or hold a prayer service.

The Commission has also looked for schools to incorporate the life of Pope John Paul II into educational activities.

However, Dublin city councillor and teacher Aodhan O’Riordain said the decision to allow schools to close on Friday as a mark of respect was a ridiculous waste of valuable teaching time.

Meanwhile Knock International Airport, on the site of a Marian shrine visited by the Pope John Paul II in 1979, today announced extra travel packages to Rome for people attending the Pontiff’s funeral.

Dr Martin added in his homily tonight: “He was a tender man who in his last weeks of suffering touched the whole world, touched all of us all and won so many hearts.

“We remember John Paul II, the indefatigable defender of life. We remember John Paul II who in these last weeks taught us all something about how to die.”