DUP leader Arlene Foster
The DUP have declined to say if party leader Arlene Foster will attend any of the events organised during Pope Francis’s visit to Ireland later this month.
It is believed that invites have now been issued and according to the Taoiseach’s Department, invites have been sent out to all five leaders of the North’s main political parties.
Following on from attending Fermanagh’s Ulster final in Clones, celebrating Ramadan in June and the speaking at a commemoration of North’s LGBT community, the DUP Leader may attend a Mass in Pheonix Park or the Angelus in Knock during the Papal visit which takes place at the end of August.
It is not yet known if Arlene Foster will attend any of the events as when contacted by the Herald, the DUP press office failed to respond to query asking if the former First Minister had received an invitation, or if she would attend any of the events associated with the Papal visit.
The Pope is due to arrive in Dublin on August 25th for a two day trip where he will take part in a number of official engagements including meeting with President Michael D Higgins, and the Festival of families in Croke Park where Pope Francis will address the crowd.
On Sunday August 26th, the Pope will visit the shrine at Knock where he will say the Angelus, before holding a massive service in Phoenix Park as part of the World Meeting of Families with thousands of people set to attend the historic event.
The Pope is not expected to travel North of the border during his visit at the end of the month.
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