If you’re not attending any of the events, you won’t miss a moment from the couch…
Pope Francis visits Dublin this weekend – 25 and 26 August – for the World Meeting of Families, with a busy schedule in tow.
The Pontifex Maximus will take in Áras an Uachtaráin, Croke Park and Knock during his 48-hour whirlwind tour, with more than half a million people expected to attend his mass in the Phoenix Park on Sunday.
If you missed out on tickets or just have some vague curiosity about the whole thing, RTÉ will be extensively covering the visit across the weekend.
The full breakdown of TV coverage – with Bryan Dobson back on your screen – looks like this:
Saturday 25 August
10am – 1.30pm – RTÉ One – Pope Francis in Ireland
Live coverage of Pope Francis’ arrival at Dublin Airport, his visits to Áras an Uachtaráin to meet the President and Dublin Castle where he will meet An Taoiseach and give an address.
Presented by Bryan Dobson live at Áras an Uachtaráin, Sharon Ní Bheolain live at Dublin Castle, and commentary by Aine Lawlor.
This broadcast will include the RTÉ One O’Clock News presented live from Dublin Castle by Sharon Ní Bheolain.
2.55pm – 5.45pm – RTÉ One – Pope Francis in Ireland
Live coverage from Dublin City Centre as Pope Francis visits St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, travels through the city in the Popemobile and the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People.
Presented by Miriam O’Callaghan live from Dublin City Centre and Bryan Dobson in studio with guests.
5.45pm – RTÉ One – Nuacht RTÉ le TG4
Siún Nic Gearailt presents the day’s news live from Knock on the eve of Pope Francis’ visit to the region, with reports from Croke Park, Dublin City and reaction from around the country.
5.45pm – 9.00pm – RTÉ 2 – Pope Francis In Ireland: Festival of Families
Mary Kennedy hosts RTÉ’s live coverage from Croke Park as families from all over the world convene to witness a celebration featuring artists Daniel O’ Donnell, Nathan Carter, Andrea Bocelli, Paddy Moloney, the Riverdance Troupe and The Priests.
Mary will be joined in studio by Norah Casey, Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, Francis Brennan, Oliver Callan, with commentary by Marty Whelan and special reporters Blathnaid Ní Chofaigh and Nuala Carey.
6.01pm – 7.00pm – RTÉ One – RTÉ Six One News
Keelin Shanley and Caitríona Perry present the Six One News hour-long bulletin.
Sunday 26 August
9am – 11.35am – RTÉ One – Pope Francis in Ireland
Eileen Dunne and Caitríona Perry present live coverage of Pope Francis’ visit to Knock.
The Pope is due to arrive at the Knock Shrine at 9.45am, circuit the area in the Popemobile and pray the Angelus at the Apparition Chapel before departing from Knock Shrine at 11.15am.
1.00pm – 1.15pm – RTÉ One – RTÉ One O’Clock News
Keelin Shanley presents the One O’Clock news bulletin live from the Phoenix Park in Dublin
2:00pm – 5:45pm – RTÉ One – Pope Francis in Ireland
Live coverage of the Papal Mass in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, presented by Bryan Dobson, Aine Lawlor and Fr Dermod McCarthy.
5.45pm – RTÉ One – Nuacht RTÉ le TG4
Siún Nic Gearailt presents the day’s news live from Knock as Pope Francis visits the region, with reports from the Phoenix Park, Dublin City and reaction from around the country.
6.01pm – 7.00pm – RTÉ One – RTÉ Six One News
The Six One News co-presented by Keelin Shanley live at the Phoenix Park and Caitríona Perry in studio which will include live coverage as Pope Francis departs Dublin Airport for Rome.
10:35pm – RTÉ One – The Francis Effect: A Would You Believe? Special
As Pope Francis returns to Rome after his two-day visit to Ireland, Joe Duffy hosts a live studio discussion, asking what long-term impact the Papal visit is likely to have, if any, on Ireland, the family and the Catholic Church, here and abroad.
Joe is joined by leading Church figures and an invited audience of contributing guests, representing a broad spectrum of opinions, beliefs and life experience.
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