Remarkably, this seems to be more of a problem in the USA rather than in Ireland. Most devout Irish Catholics I know are frankly disgusted at their own hierarchy and none to impressed with the Vatican. They maintain their religious observance despite these misgivings and I hear no great clamour for the Pope to visit`- unless it is to apologise and start a new chapter on new terms.

A Chicagoan Bishop has just apparently snubbed the Irish prime minister over the Vatican embassy closure.  This may be good US Catholic politics, but in Ireland it just generates a big yawn.

Index of Frank's Diaries