Laois TD reveals what Pope Francis said about the Irish in private meeting

Upon the sad passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, Laois Fianna Fáíl TD Sean Fleming expressed his sadness at the news.

Deputy Fleming met Pope Francis in a private audience last December, and spoke about his fond memories of the meeting.

"Like millions of people around the world, I was deeply saddened to hear that His Holiness Pope Francis passed away," Deputy Fleming said.

Pictured: Deputy Sean Fleming and his wife Mary in their private audience with Pope Francis

"I was very privileged that my wife Mary and I had a private audience with Pope Francis in the Vatican on Friday 6th December 2024. 

"My abiding memory is that he was a kind, gentle, friendly and holy person and it was almost like speaking to an elderly parent. 

"I presented him with a St. Brigid’s Cross and told him the story of St. Brigid and that Ireland has recently made her feast day a public bank holiday," he said.

Deputy Fleming said that on the Pope's desk, there were two photographs of the Pope's extended family, and that the pair had a 'lovely chat' about both of their families.

"The Pope being from Argentina and I having two brothers married to two Brazilians, we had a good chat about South America and you can be sure soccer between the two Countries was discussed," Deputy Fleming said.

Pictured: the private audience Deputy Fleming had with Pope Francis last December

"He personally handed two rosary beads to myself and Mary and a special coin with his personal papal crest."

During the meeting, Pope Francis spoke strongly against the wars across the world, and Deputy Fleming says that the Pope was 'very disappointed' that Europe was not playing a greater part in protecting innocent civilians around the world, particularly in Gaza. 

"The only other person in the room was an interpreter but as we all know the Pope had very good English.  The private audience lasted half an hour," the Fianna Fáíl TD said.

 On Saturday December 7, Deputy Fleming and his wife Mary once again met the Pope.

"In my role then as Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs, I was representing Ireland at a Consistory in St. Peter’s Basilica where 21 new Cardinals were being appointed," he explained.

"Before the ceremony commenced, my wife and I and representatives from three other countries were brought into a private room, where Pope Francis came in to meet us.

"Each of us in the room were presented with rosary beads and he spoke to us individually.  He recognised us from our private audience the previous day, and he said,“The Irish. I remember when I was in New York the Irish Whiskey was famous”.

Deputy Fleming and his wife signed the Book of Condolences for His Holiness Pope Francis in the Holy See Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin on Wednesday afternoon.

"May he Rest in Peace and I pray he is beside God in Heaven," Deputy Fleming finished.