State papers: Irish hierarchy were lukewarm towards second visit by Pope John Paul II

The possibility that Pope John Paul II (pictured) would return to Ireland following his historic, first-ever visit to the Republic by a pope in 1979 was raised by the then-Bishop of Cloyne, John Magee, in comments made in December 1988. File picture: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP

The prospect of a second papal visit to Ireland by Pope John Paul II in the late 1980s was given a lukewarm reception by both Irish bishops and politicians, newly-released State papers have revealed.

The possibility that Pope John Paul II would return to Ireland following his historic, first-ever visit to the Republic by a pope in 1979 was raised by the then-Bishop of Cloyne, John Magee, in comments made in December 1988.