On the third day of his visit to France, Pope Benedict XVI has celebrated Mass to mark the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary seen by St Bernadette.Among the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims in Lourdes were some 1,400 from the diocese of Meath and others from the Dublin archdiocese.
The outdoor Mass was to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Cross and clerical sources say Pope Benedict timed his French visit to allow him highlight the consolation which the Virgin Mary's reported appearances at Lourdes have brought to the poor, the sick and the marginalised.
Cardinal Sean Brady and Bishop Michael Smith of Meath represented the Irish hierarchy and 33 of Meath's priests were among the 1,000 concelebrants.
In the congregation were 220 Meath people suffering from a range of illnesses.
They were cared for by six doctors, 60 nurses and over 160 other carers.
Many were also present from the Dublin archdiocese, which completed its pilgrimage on Friday.
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(Source: RTE)