Company set up to run the WMF2018 and Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland owes €2.5m not €4.5m as quoted in media reports.

Over 2,500 students from 70 different schools perform three pieces which have been specially written for the World Meeting of Families in August.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin reveals likely cost of Pope Francis’ visit in August 2018 for the World Meeting of Families will be over €20m.

“We talk a lot about the challenges of family life but those of you who are here today are here because you know that overall the family brings a fulfilment into your lives that is quite unique.”

Thousands pour into Knock as countdown to World Meeting of Families next year begins and preparatory programme is launched.

The icon, which was written by Mihai Cucu, will be accompanied by petition boxes, and contemplative communities around Ireland have agreed to take petitions collected from families and to pray for them during the coming year.

It is “very important that we pray for the success of the World Meeting of Families – not as an event but as a moment of renewal of love especially within families” – Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.

The 2018 event will recall for society “how important the family is for the future of Ireland and of the wider society especially in Europe” – Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.

“Obviously the World Meeting of Families is going to involve a huge expenditure and an enormous investment by the Irish Church but it is an investment in our future and not just an event over five or six days in August 2018.”

Archbishop Martin recalls Pope telling him “There is something about the message of the synod and something about the difficulty Ireland has gone through that offers me an opportunity to say things I want to say about the family.”