POPE John Paul II visited Ireland in September 1979, on the first ever Papal visit to Ireland.
The visit to Ireland took place from September 29 to October 1, and it was also one of the first foreign trips for Pope John Paul II.
Arriving in Dublin Airport on Saturday, September 29, the Pope kissed the tarmac after disembarking the Aer Lingus 747 flight he had taken from Rome.
Pope John Paul II arriving on an Aer Lingus flight from Rome to Dublin, Ireland on September 29, 1979. (Source: RTE Archives)Departing from the airport, the Pontiff went straight to the Phoenix Park to offer Mass to the Irish people.
It is estimated that 2.5million people turned out across Ireland to see the Pope, but it was Dublin where most flocked to see him.
On that Saturday morning, over 1.25million people went to the Phoenix Park to attend Mass with the Pope.
Assisted by nine Cardinals and 100 bishops, he pointed to the high rate of Mass attendance and he drew parallels with his native Poland.
"On Sunday mornings in Ireland, no one seeing the great crowds making their way to and from Mass, could have any doubts about Ireland's devotion to the Mass," he told the crowd.
Pope John Paul II then visited Drogheda, where he gave one of his most memorable speeches, addressing the paramilitaries in Northern Ireland directly.
"I wish to speak to all men and women engaged in violence," he said.
"I appeal to you, in language of passionate pleading. On my knees I beg you, to turn away from the path of violence and to return to the ways of peace," the Pontiff pleaded.
The following day, the Pontiff requested a trip to Clonmacnoise on the way to Galway, as he said it was the Irish monks who brought the Christian faith to Poland.
While the Pope also visited Knock, it was in Galway, however, where Pope John Paul II made the most iconic speech of his trip on that same day.
"Young people of Ireland," he said, "I love you."
"Young people of Ireland, I love you." Pope John Paul II addressing the crowds in Galway. (Source: RTE Archives)On his final day, the Pope visited Maynooth seminary, and Limerick, where he pleaded with the Irish Government not to introduce divorce, before leaving Ireland through Shannon Airport.
Watch a highlights video of Pope John Paul II's visit to Ireland below...
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