Watch: Taoiseach arrives in Apostolic Palace to meet Pope Francis
The Taoiseach has met Pope Francis in the Vatican today.
Enda Kenny is expected to discuss the Church’s World Meeting of Families planned for August 2018, which will include a papal visit.
The Taoiseach will formally invite Pope Francis to Ireland for 2018.
The Pope’s visit to Ireland for 2018 is at the request of the Conference of Irish Bishops.
Mr Kenny is expected to convey to the Pope that “the normal state courtesies and support will be extended to him” when he comes to Ireland.
It is five years since Mr Kenny made a speech in the Dáil which was highly critical of the Church's handling of the clerical sex abuse crisis.
Mr Kenny and Pope Francis are also expected to discuss bilateral relations between the two states, developments in the European Union, and migration.
