Taoiseach to meet Pope Benedict in Rome

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will travel to Rome this week to meet Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Benedict XVI will receive the Taoiseach in private audience on Thursday morning. Mr Ahern will also hold discussions with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Vatican Secretary of State.

It is expected that the situation in Northern Ireland, developments in the European Union will feature in the discussions.

The visit comes in the week after the Government approved the initiation of structured dialogue with the churches and faith communities on the lines of a draft EU Constitution Treaty.