Image copyright Getty Images Symbol caption An predicted half the population of the island of ireland became out to peer John Paul II on his consult with to eire in 1979
Rewind to ireland 1979.
When Pope John Paul II’s plane touched down at Dublin airport, the crowds waved yellow and white papal flags; held up babies; pushed forward wheelchairs; cheered.
The figure of John Paul II emerged from the plane, moved down the steps and, cloak whipping in the wind, knelt to kiss Irish soil.
It was once an ancient moment. Almost a third of the population turned as much as cheer him at Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
Across The united states, in the weeks and year that adopted, midwives and docs in Irish maternity hospitals held up newborns, introduced: “it’s a boy” and one in ten mothers opted for “John Paul”.
Image copyright John Paul Feeley Image caption John Paul Feeley is proud to be a Catholic
John-Paul Feeley is a solicitor, a councillor for Cavan County Council, a member of Fianna Fáil and Shannon Gaels GAA, a Cavan supporter… and a proud Catholic.
“i used to be born in 1981 and i used to be a 7th son,” he says.
“i used to be named after the Pope and that i wasn’t on my own. there have been John Pauls in my college and there have been also Karols – after the Pope’s Polish Christian identify.
“The Arena has modified given that 1979. we are no different in Ireland – it is simply that we expect we’re extraordinarily different.
“I Will see the Pope. i hope to wait the arena Meeting of Households on both Saturday and Sunday. As for being a Catholic – that is is one in every of the organisations of which I’m happy to mention I’m a member.
“i go to Mass. Shock! Horror! Disbelief!
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“considered one of the underlying ideas being positioned available in the market is that Eire has changed so much and there may be nobody going to see the Pope.
“In society, when you’re a practicing Catholic, you might be regarded down on by people who assume they’re your betters.
“take heed to radio and the speculation that any one might training faith is scoffed at, it’s a kind of operating joke.
“i don’t regard myself as a Holy Joe or religious, however there is a lot of individuals who don’t instruction as a result of they believe that is the thing to do.
“It takes no courage or conviction to mention they do not go to Mass. Monkey see; monkey do.
“All I’d like to pay attention is if folks wish to pass, then they pass and if they don’t, they don’t.
The atheist
Symbol caption “i would not be militant approximately it, but i have no time for the Church,” says John-Paul Whearty
John-Paul Whearty is a stand-up comedian and creator of the satirical Loyalists Towards Democracy (LAD) crew.
“i was named after Pope John Paul II,” he says.
“i used to be going to be referred to as one thing else. however my mum ended up going into labour just on the time the Pope used to be flying out of ireland in his aeroplane, so that is how I were given the name.
“i’ve an image of John Paul II up in my kitchen, but I Am an atheist.
“While i was a child, I used to inform folks i was called after John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin as a substitute.
“The title used to embarrass me whilst i used to be more youthful, however now that i’m older, I own it.
“As for Catholicism, I Would haven’t any pastime in it at all.
Image caption John-Paul Whearty used to inform his pals he was once named after John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin – because it appeared cooler than being named after a pope
“My mum is going to Mass every day. She is going up and opens the church within the morning and closes it within the evening, but she’s very much a follower of Jesus in preference to the Church.
“I’m absolutely happy with my identify. There are lots of John Pauls… John Paul Jones, John Paul Getty and it is a name that comes from the Pope, so it resonates.
“i know two different John Pauls among my close friends and since we had been all born around 1979-EIGHTY, I bump into John Pauls the entire time.
The closing Pope’s discuss with was once such a momentous occasion for Irish society. The babies had been born, we were given education, then got here the growth and the money – that’s development.”
The church florist
Symbol copyright John Paul Image caption John Paul Deehan likes Pope Francis’ means
John Paul Deehan is an award-winning dressmaker and florist based totally in his native Derry. His first fee was once doing the flowers for his cousin’s wedding when he was simply 10 years antique. He just lately became FORTY.
“I’m John Paul however I wasn’t named after for the ultimate Pope,” he says.
“i was born in June 1978 and my folks could not make a choice from John and Paul.
“They had been toying among the names. So, they positioned the two names together. My nice grandmother mentioned she didn’t find it irresistible. Then John Paul i used to be made pope and he or she said: ‘You cannot change it.’
“i’ll were something else until the Pope got here alongside and my nice granny placed her foot down.
“As a florist, I Am in churches and chapels virtually each day of the week, but I Am infrequently at Mass.
“i am going now and once more however i have no plans to move and see Pope Francis.
“Still, his discuss with can best be for the better. He has a very modern way. he’s going to draw in youth to the Church.
“And it kind of feels that so much of the younger era need to embody faith.
“My nieces and nephews would have an enchantment to move. they’d look to visit Mass. People of my age would possibly say: ‘Maybe next week.’
“However they move of their own accord, there may be an actual swing back to the church.
“What I Really Like about Pope Francis is his very up to date means. He comprises everyone and that’s essential.”
The ‘grocery store Catholic’
Image copyright JP Coyle Image caption John-Paul Coyle is trade supervisor for Lissan Area
John-Paul Coyle is business manager with Lissan Area, Cookstown. His mom integrated the hyphen while he was born so he could be called the whole title.
“i was born on 21 October 1980, so I went to university with a couple of John Pauls besides as Joannes and Paulas,” he says.
“I used to hate my identify while i was more youthful. It felt like a political thing. there was a component of sectarianism.
“My mom mentioned she was once putting the hyphen in my name as it used to be John-Paul however there were people who would select just to call me John or Paul – it took me a while to get my head around that.
“As for Catholicism, when you recall to mind the entire cover-up of paedophilia inside the Church – John Paul knew, so why did he do nothing?
“there were pompous, boastful males who were involved. But I Think sorry for the priests who’ve performed nothing fallacious but really feel they’re accountable by default. It have to be very lonely and tough for them.
“I Would nonetheless regard myself as a Catholic however i wouldn’t believe the entire laws. I’m a grocery store Catholic, I Love the bits I Really Like.
“i actually like Pope Francis. i think he is what the Church needs. He may well be extra of a reformer however you can’t be expecting radical adjustments in a 2,000-yr-antique establishment.
“Francis instils that experience of humility that has been missing for thus long. He has banished that stage of extravagance.
“If i could have gotten a ticket, I more than likely could have long past to look him.
Papal visit to ireland: Itinerary highlights
Saturday 25 August
08:15 – Departure by means of plane from Rome for Dublin 10:30 – Arrival at Dublin Airport for respectable welcome 10:45 – Switch to Áras an Uachtaráin (Irish president’s residence) 11:15 – Welcome rite with President Michael D. Higgins 12:10 – Arrival at Dublin Citadel for assembly with authorities, civil society and diplomatic corps 15:30 – Seek Advice From to St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral SIXTEEN:30 – Personal visit to the Capuchin Day Centre, a centre for homeless folks 19:FORTY FIVE – Preside at the Festival of Families at Croke Park stadium
Sunday, 26 August
08:40 – Departure by aircraft for Knock 09:45 – Arrival at Knock Shrine for consult with to the Apparition Chapel and recitation of the Angelus 11:15 – Departure through aircraft for Dublin 12:30 – Lunch with the Papal Delegation 15:00 – Closing Papal Mass of the arena Assembly of Households in Phoenix Park followed via a meeting with the Irish bishops 18:30 – Farewell rite at Dublin Airport 18:FORTY FIVE – Departure via airplane for Rome 23:00 – Arrival in Rome
