McGuinness hopes for papal visit

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7112228.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said he hopes Northern Ireland will soon get its first papal visit.

He was speaking after Mass at St Peter's Basilica in Rome following the installation of Sean Brady as cardinal.

Mr McGuinness said he did not doubt the prospect of a visit to Ireland would have been raised when Cardinal Brady spoke to Pope Benedict XVI.

He said that there "has been a lot of talk about the prospect of another papal visit".

"If such a visit were to happen I think it would be regarded as a particularly joyous occasion."

Pope John Paul came to Ireland in 1979, but did not go north of the border.

Mr McGuinness said he believed Protestants would give the pontiff "a warm welcome as someone who undoubtedly has a lot of affection for the island".

Sean Brady was among 24 new cardinals to be created by Pope Benedict XVI at the special Consistory on Saturday.

Cardinal Brady, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, has said he believes his new role carried a great deal of responsibility.

"The Holy Father emphasised that it is a call to serve and a call to responsibility," Cardinal Brady said.

"It a great honour, but it is also a call to suffer, if necessary, for the truth."

For the first time in Ireland's history, there are now three Cardinals - known as princes of the church - on the island.

Mr McGuinness joined others at the ceremony including:Irish President Mary McAleese, the republic's Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern, Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward, SDLP assembly member Tommy Gallagher, Progressive Democrat TD Noel Grealish and Green Party Senator Deirdre de Burca.