Micheál Martin invites Pope Leo to visit Ireland during state visit to Vatican

But Martin may not be in office for such a papal visit: Taoiseach's Paris and Rome trip during a by-election campaign comes amid rumours he may step down as party leader after Ireland's EU presidency

Pope Leo XIV greeting Taoiseach Micheál Martin during his state visit to the Vatican on Friday. Picture: Mario Tomassetti/Vatican Media

Members of the Swiss Guard stood to attention in their colourful attire as Micheál Martin and his wife Mary arrived at the Apostolic Palace.

It was another one of those significant life moments in what has been a long political career.