In Ireland visit, Pope Francis appeals to divided Catholics and struggles with abuse fallout

For many in Ireland, Pope Francis’s appearance at the World Meeting of Families was a historic occasion to be celebrated, even amid the latest reports of clergy sexual abuse and alleged attempts to cover them up—including charges that the pope did that himself.

Others regarded Francis’s visit as a painful reminder of the profound harm done by an institution that has deeply shaped life in the country.

In his two-day tour, the pontiff attempted to reach both of these audiences. At several stops—including a speech to government officials at Dublin Castle—he acknowledged clerical abuse in Ireland while straining to focus on the importance of family life.