Gallery: Rain fails to dampen enthusiasm of crowd that greets Pope Francis in Knock Shrine

Despite the early morning rainfall, around 45,000 people greeted Pope Francis at Knock Shrine this morning (Sunday, August 26). 

Pope Francis told the gathering, “None of us can fail to be moved by the stories of young people who suffered abuse, were robbed of their innocence and left scarred by painful memories.”

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He continued that “this open wound challenges us to be firm and decisive in the pursuit of truth and justice. I beg the Lord’s forgiveness for these sins and for the scandal and betrayal felt by so many others in God’s family. I ask our Blessed Mother to intercede for the healing of the survivors and to confirm every member of our Christian family in the resolve never again to permit these situations to occur.”

As a remembrance of his visit he presented the Shrine with a golden rosary in recognition of how important the tradition of the family rosary has been in this country. In return he was given a statue of Our Lady of Knock.

Here are some images from Knock. All photographs courtesy of Maxwells Photography.