Carlow Minister honoured to have met the Pope twice – ‘He was truly a people's person'
The Carlow-based minister first met Pope Francis on a visit to the Vatican six years ago. During the visit, Deputy Murnane O'Connor had an audience with the Pope as he shook her hand, gave her a blessing and gifted her rosary beads.
"I first met Pope Francis six years ago,' Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor told The Irish Independent. 'A group of us went through the Oireachtas and we had an audience with him.
"He was an absolute gentleman. You knew when you were in the room with him that he was a very spiritual person. He was truly a people's person, so approachable. I was so honoured to have met him and to have gotten a blessing from him.'
Deputy Murnane O'Connor said that in person, Pope Francis exuded kindness and made time for everyone.
"He was a Pope of the people. When I met him it was so evident that he wanted to represent everyone and every walk of life. He really looked after people who were in need.
"For me, Pope Francis' legacy will be his kindness,' continued the Minister of State. 'When I met him, you could sense his spirituality and it was clear he represented everyone. The best way to describe him is that he really was a Pope of the people.
"To have met him twice was a great privilege and honour. The experience of being in his presence is something I will always remember. The memories will stay with me for the rest of my life.'
The late Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88 from a stroke and irreversible heart failure. His funeral will take place at 9am on Saturday, April 26.
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The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Diddy would be released in DAYS after Trump pardon but a ‘free ride' out of jail will not help his future, lawyer warns
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He went on to say, "There's one thing that Americans stand for … it's accountability, and if he were pardoned in light of what's been happening, these allegations and this testimony, there would be a sense of loss and lack of accountability. "And so I don't know how that would sit with most Americans with respect to President Trump." But Lovell said he doesn't think anybody would be surprised if Trump pardoned Diddy. "He's pardoned a lot of people that people take umbrage [with]. And he's not worried about a re-election, so I don't really think it would affect him. "He may have some more detractors, but I don't think he really cares, and his conduct thus far shows he's going to do what he wants to do." Lovell feels if Diddy is acquitted it would be a sense of victory and it would be easier to acclimate to society because he will have been vindicated in court. However, if he's convicted and pardoned by Trump it would have more of a negative impact on him. 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Irish Examiner
7 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Robert Pether's family to hear of restrictions put on engineer next week
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