The Taoiseach has asked the Pope about reparations for past clerical abuse in Ireland after the chronic failure of religious orders to pay compensation.
“I asked that every effort would be made to get the religious orders to engage proactively on the matter of redress,” Micheál Martin said after meeting with the pontiff for half an hour this morning.
“I did point out that the government established a commission of inquiry into day schools and boarding schools, and that some orders, one or two orders, have come forward, but a lot of orders haven’t, and that assets have been sold.”
Mr Martin added: “We want those assets allocated in revenues to redress, and that the Government will continue its engagement with religious orders. I think the sense is that people do need to take ownership of this, in terms of religious orders and in terms of bishops back in Ireland.”
Asked what Pope Leo had said in reply, Mr Martin said: “I don’t want to be putting words into the Pope’s mouth, but very clearly he’s of a disposition that the church has to take ownership of this.
“We discussed the issue of trauma itself, that it’s not something that one sort of act or one engagement can meet. He’s very aware of that, that this is an enduring sort of programme of work that doesn’t begin with a commission of inquiry or acknowledgement of guilt - but which has to be worked on constantly and on a continuing basis.
“I think he understands this area and the nature of it, and I explained myself that I was involved in establishing the first Commission of Inquiry into the Industrial Schools when I was a minister for education - and how many years later one would meet people who were victims and survivors, and the trauma stays with people.
“So he was very aware and conscious of that - and I think his response was in the affirmative.”
The Taoiseach also said he had invited the Pope to visit Ireland.
“He’s a very busy schedule. I did indicate him that he’s welcome to Ireland, and I said that to him. We really would appreciate a visit. I said the same to Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Vatican Secretary of State), and so please God that will happen at some stage,” Mr Martin said.
Domestically, the Taoiseach said he was urging people earlier to “get out and vote for Cillian Keane in Galway West and John Stephens in Dublin Central.”
He joked: “All politics is local,” but on a serious note added: “It’s interesting when you’re talking about war and conflict around the world, at least we’re having by-elections.
“We should treasure what we have, and people should use the vote that they have, and go out and vote.
“We (in Fianna Fáil) obviously have a preference in terms of who I think they should vote for, but people should go and vote and use the franchise, because when you discuss areas of the world, as I did today, you can just see the extraordinary deprivation and absence of democracy, which is something we take for granted.”
On an official visit too Italy, the Taoiseach will also later meet Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, following his encounter yesterday with French President Emmanuel Macron.
After his private audience with Leo XIV, the Taoiseach also had a bilateral meeting with Holy See Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin.
Following his visit to The Vatican, the Taoiseach will visit the Pontifical Irish College in Rome to meet with members of the college community, ahead of his meeting with Giorgia Meloni.
It has been flagged that he will view its archives, and announce Government funding to support the cataloguing, digitisation and preservation of the records as part of the College’s conservation, project.
The Taoiseach earlier said he looked forward to meeting the Pope, “who has made peace a defining theme of his papacy”.
“I expect that we will reflect on how leaders can act together to end conflict in the world, including in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan, and how we can reassert the primacy of human dignity, human rights and a rules-based international order in an increasingly dangerous and divided world,” he said.
“In the first year of his Pontificate, Pope Leo has been a steadfast advocate for human dignity, for the poor and marginalised, for a humanitarian approach, for social justice and the environment, and for peace.
“We share many common values - a belief in the importance of a rules-based international order, and dialogue and diplomacy as the only route to lasting peace.
“I look forward to exchanging views with him on how we can work together to promote effective multilateralism as the best way to address our many challenges and bring an end to conflict.”
Mr Martin added: “We know from our own experience on this island (meaning Ireland) the challenge of finding lasting peace and how this crucial work continues.
“The role of the church and clergy from all denominations was critical to bringing about peace on this island and I will discuss with the Pope the ongoing process of reconciliation, including the difficult but essential work on addressing the legacy of the Troubles.”
With Giorgia Meloni he said he would “share our plans for Ireland’s forthcoming Presidency of the EU and the importance of the role of the EU as for force for peace, democracy, the rule of law and human rights.”