Papal flags flying in Knock. Photo: Alison Laredo

Pope will arrive at Knock Shrine shortly after 10 on Sunday

THE official time of Pope Francis' arrival at Ireland West Airport next Sunday morning is 9.20 a.m.

The Pontiff will be greeted by a delegation of clergy and representatives of the airport, including chief executive Joe Gilmore.

Up to 100 local schoolchildren will be in attendance to extend a warm welcome to him and his entourage.

After those ceremonies are completed, he is due to depart for Knock Shrine at 9.45 a.m. in a special adapted Skoda Rapid.

The journey is around 20 kilometres and would normally take over a quarter of an hour.

On arrival at Knock Shrine, Pope Francis will move through the assembled crowd of 45,000 people in the popemobile.

He will spend some time in silent prayer in the Apparition Chapel before delivering a short address and leading pilgrims in the Angelus Prayer.

Before the Pope’s arrival pilgrims will be led in prayer and, directly after his departure, there will be an open-air Mass at Knock Shrine.

There will be a big international, national and local media presence with 64 work stations provided at the media centre there. All media personnel are being transferred by shuttle bus from the Park Hotel in Kiltimagh to the airport and shrine.

Pope Francis is due to attend the closing Mass for the World Meeting of Families 2018 at Phoenix Park, Dublin, at 2.30 p.m. This event will be attended by 500,000 people.

A farewell ceremony is scheduled for Dublin Airport at 3.30 p.m.

This event will be attended by representatives of the State and the Irish Catholic Church.

His arrival on Saturday in Dublin is scheduled for 10.30 a.m. and he will hold a meeting with President Michael D. Higgins at 11.15 in Áras an Uachtaráin.

At 12.10 p.m. An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will greet Pope Francis in the upper courtyard of Dublin Castle.

Following introductory remarks by Mr. Varadkar, the Pope will deliver a speech to an invited audience in St. Patrick’s Hall, Dublin.

At 4.30 p.m. he will visit the Capuchin Fathers’ Day Centre and meet with Brother Kevin of the Capuchin Fathers as well as members of the homeless community.

Pope Francis is scheduled to attend the Festival of Families event at Croke Park at 7.45 p.m. where he will join an audience of 82,500 in the stadium and he will hear five testimonies by families from Ireland, Canada, Iraq and Africa.