Pope greets schoolchildren on arrival at airport

POPE Francis has landed at Ireland West Airport and is en route to Knock Shrine.

The specially chartered Aer Lingus A321 plane carrying the Pontiff touched down at 9.30 a.m. and he departed for the shrine at 9.50.

His arrival was greeted with loud cheers as the plane emerged from a heavy mist.

There to welcome him to Mayo were Minister Michael Ring, Archbishop Michael Neary, Bishop John Fleming, Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop Brendan Kelly, Bishop John Kirby, Fr. Dermot Meehan, P.P., Swinford, and administrator, Diocese of Achonry, Joe Gilmore, CEO of Knock, Arthur French, chairman, airport board, Councillor Blackie Gavin, cathaoirleach, Mayo County Council, John Dillon, of the airport's board of trustees, John McCarthy, head of operations, Knock airport, his wife Mary and their four children, Saoirse, Michael, Robin and Ruby.

Flying the flag for the local community were 100 children from four nearby national schools – Barnacogue, Cloonlyon, Tavneena and St. Attracta's NS, Charlestown.

The Pope greeted all the children before his entourage departed.