Two Irish 12-year-olds were amongst 44 children confirmed by Pope Francis in a special ceremony in St Peter's Square today, marking the Year of Faith celebrations. On a beautiful, warm and sunny morning, more than 70,000 people attended a ceremony in which Emily Mulcahy from Cobh and Edmond Roche from Fermoy as well as 42 other children from all over the world were confirmed by the Pope.
Speaking after the ceremony, Paul Mulcahy, father of Emily, said that it had been an extraordinary day for Emily and all her family who were with her in Rome, saying:
“This was a very emotional moment, overwhelming in fact…There was a huge crowd here but when Pope Francis began to speak, you could hear a pin drop. I would have loved to understand what the Pope was saying and I look forward to reading the translation tonight…”
Mr Mulcahy confirmed that neither Emily nor Edmond spoke with the Pope when he stopped for a few moments with the group of 44 children at the end of the service. In his homily, the Pope called on the children to embrace “the new things of God”, saying:
“You see, the new things of God are not like the novelities of this world, all of which are temporary; they come and go, and we keep looking for more. The new things which God gives to our lives are lasting, not only in the future when we will be with him, but today as well…
“How beautiful it would be if each of you every evening could say: Today at school, at home, at work, guided by God, I showed a sign of love towards one of my friends, my parents, an older person! How beautiful…”
In his Angelus address after the ceremony, Pope Francis called for prayers for the victims of the Bangladesh clothes factory collapse four days ago in which 341 people died, with as many as 900 still missing, saying:
“Let me express my profound solidarity with those families who are grieving for their loved ones and from the bottom of my heart I most strongly urge that the dignity and safety of workers be always safeguarded.”