Updated 15:30
Pope Francis has prayed for forgiveness for the physical, mental and sexual abuse carried out by members the Catholic Church with roles of responsibility.
At the outset of the Papal mass in the Phoenix Park today, the Pontiff noted that he last night met with eight survivors who suffered abuse of power, of conscience and also sexual abuse by members of the clergy.
He said he was now placing “before the mercy of the lord these crimes and to ask forgiveness for them.”
He also asked for special pardon for the abuses “committed in various types of institutions” run by representatives of the Church.
Speaking through a translator he also asked forgiveness for “some members of the Churches hierarchy that did not take charge of these painful situations and kept quiet.”
His prayer in full said: “Yesterday, I met with eight survivors who suffered abuse of power, of conscience and also sexual abuse,” he said.
“Taking up what they said to me, I want to place before the mercy of the lord these crimes and to ask forgiveness for them.
“We ask forgiveness for the abuses in Ireland.
“Abuses of power, conscience and sexual abuses perpetrated by members with roles of responsibility in the church.
“In a special way we ask pardon for all the abuses committed in various types of institutions run by male or female religious [representatives] and by other members of the Church and we ask for forgiveness for those cases of exploitation through manual work that so many young women and men were subjected to.
“We ask forgiveness.
“We ask forgiveness for the times that as a church we did not show survivors of whatever kind of abuse, compassion and the seeking of justice and truth through concrete actions.
“We ask forgiveness.
“We ask forgiveness for some members of the Church's hierarchy that did not take charge of these painful situations and kept quiet.
“We ask forgiveness.
“We ask for forgiveness for all those times in which many single mothers were told that to seek their children who had been separated from them – and the same being said to daughters and sons themselves that this was a mortal sin.
“This is not a mortal sin.
“We ask forgiveness.
“Lord sustain and increase this state of shame and give us the strength to work for justice, Amen.”
Closing mass
Pope Francis arrived at the Phoenix Park just after 2:30pm - where thousands of people were waiting to watch him celebrate the special mass this afternoon.
The ceremony will bring his two-day visit to Ireland to a close.
Earlier at a ceremony at Knock Shrine, the Pontiff said he had prayed for forgiveness for the physical and sexual abuse of children carried out by members of the Catholic Church in Ireland.
Describing clerical abuse as an “open wound” the Pontiff called for "firm and decisive" action to secure "truth and justice" for survivors.
An aerial view of the crowd at Phoenix Park in Dublin, 26-08-2018. Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire/PA Images
Half a million people were expected to attend the Phoenix Park mass – however it remains unclear if the wet weather dampened spirits.
These people got there early - and said they were excited to see the Pope arrive:
Meanwhile, a march in solidarity with survivors of clerical abuse is taking place in Dublin city centre this evening.
Timed to coincide with the Papal mass, the Stand4Truth event begins at the Garden of Remembrance with speeches and performances from the likes of Villagers, Hozier and Roisín O.
The performances will be followed by a silent march to Sean MacDermott St – the site of the country’s last Magdalene Laundry.
Protesters are gathering at the Garden of Remembrance on O’Connell street for the #Stand4Life event to coincide with the Papal mass. Organiser @Colmogorman says he’s disappointed the Pope has come short of apologising #PopeInIreland pic.twitter.com/jr5chFY1FI
— Kim Buckley (@KiiimBuckley) August 26, 2018
Amnesty International Ireland executive director Colm O'Gorman organised the event.
In the last hour, he said the turnout so far is “phenomenal.”
“I have never seen anything like it,” he said.
“We met for the first time a week-and-a-half ago and just look out there now at what has been put together.
“The artists who absolutely said they wanted to come along and help us build the sense of occasion and spirit and intent that we wanted to build here.
“The people what turning up – it is mind-blowing.
“It is wonderful, I mean this is Ireland – it is phenomenal.”
Crowds gathering at the #Stand4Life protest at The Garden Of Remembrance #PopeInIreland pic.twitter.com/Tf90HG05i5
— Kim Buckley (@KiiimBuckley) August 26, 2018
Last night, Pope Francis spent more than an hour and a half meeting eight survivors of clerical, religious and institutional abuse.
He told them that those involved in corruption and cover up in the church are ‘filth.’
