Irish premier Micheal Martin and Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill have also congratulated the new pontiff.

Political leaders in Ireland have been ing on congratulations at the new Pope was elected in Rome.

It will feature conversations between Oscar-winning director Scorsese and the late pontiff.

President Higgins has criticised Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu while commenting on the gathering of world leaders at the Pope’s funeral

The open-air mass was attended by an estimated 200,000 people including 54 heads of state and 12 reigning sovereigns.

The Redemptoristine Nuns – known as ‘Red Nuns’ because of the colour of their habits – gathered on Saturday.

The Sinn Fein vice president has cut short a family holiday to attend Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome.

Bishop Paul Tighe also said there is ‘a little bit of national pride’ that an Irish-born man is the chief organiser while the post is vacant.

The people of Ireland have ‘appreciation’ for the life of the late pontiff, Michael D Higgins has said.

Post offices in Ireland had received queries from the public on what was the correct address and stamp to use.

Patrick and Alice Gavigan, from Leixlip, Co Kildare, are on holiday in Rome and said the experience felt surreal.

Marguerite O’Leary and her teenage daughter Ellen stood for more than five hours on Wednesday to be among the first of the public to see the late pontiff’s remains inside St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

The late pontiff will be buried on Saturday after dying at the age of 88.

The President said he hopes the next pope will build on the steps Francis was able to take.

A proposed trip north of the border during the pontiff’s historic visit to the island of Ireland in 2018 was shelved because of time constraints.

The former taoiseach met Francis during his visit to Ireland in 2018.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell was asked in 2019 by Pope Francis to take on the role managing the Vatican during the ‘interregnum’ between papacies.

The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin opened a book of condolences to the late pontiff.

Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin said the 2018 visit was ‘overshadowed by the story of abuse’.

Only cardinals who are under the age of 80 at the time the papacy becomes vacant (either by death or resignation of the pope) are eligible to enter the conclave and vote for the new pope.

Father Tim Bartlett helped organise Francis’s visit to the island in 2018

Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin said that Pope Francis would regularly ask about the peace process

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Pope held a ‘special place in the hearts of Irish people’

Despite being called a ‘phenomenal’ advocate for migrants, Pope Francis’ statement in Dublin on clerical abuse was labelled ‘disappointing’.

Pope Francis has announced a number of significant changes to the Catholic dioceses in Connacht

The events coincide with Michael D Higgins’ participation in the World Food Forum

Prof McAleese acknowledged that this was not a change to the Catholic definition of marriage.

Follow the latest news with our three-minute video update

Katherine Jenkins was reunited with her lost luggage just before she performed for Pope Francis at a Christmas concert on Saturday.

The classical singer is due to perform at the Pope’s annual Christmas concert in Rome on Saturday.

David Gaffney, a Jesuit priest who writes a weekly spiritual column for the Evening Echo, says he will be among the crowds greeting Francis — the first ever Jesuit pope — when he visits Ireland this weekend

Sophie Healy-Thow from Kinsale is an advocate for gender equality and zero hunger. Here she outlines why she is backing the #SayNopeToThePope