Media diary notice for Tuesday 1 March 2016
You, or a representative, are invited to attend the photocall and launch for Dear Pope Francis: The Pope Answers Letters from Children around the world. Details are as follows:
Time and date: 2.00pm on Tuesday 1 March.
Venue: Saint Patrick’s Primary School, Loughgall Road, Armagh.
In attendance: Archbishop Eamon Martin, Father Donal Neary SJ, Editor of Messenger Publications, and Mr John J Monaghan, Principal of Saint Patrick’s Primary School.
Photographs: Photographs from the launch will be available to media from Paula Nolan (Messenger Publications) on 0852759606 or Liam McArdle on +44 7900 107362.
Background
Last year, on a hot August afternoon in Rome, Father Antonio Spadaro SJ met with The Holy Father. Pope Francis greeted Father Spadora with a smile and offered him a drink of apricot juice before beginning their formidable task together. Father Spadora had brought with him 259 letters from 26 countries on 6 continents, written in 14 different languages, including a letter from Clara in Galway. Each child had illustrated his or her letter with a drawing. Pope Francis sat with Father Spadora and personally answered thirty of the children’s questions although he wished he could answer them all.
The result of that afternoon’s work is Dear Pope Francis, a unique anthology of letters from children seeking answers from Pope Francis. Often children’s questions on faith and the world can be overlooked but in return for their wonderfully individual and illustrated letters Pope Francis responded to each of the children with inspiring and meaningful answers. Dear Pope Francis shows the Pope’s profound love and respect for children by making time to listen, to see, and to respond from his heart.
Pope Francis’ joyful warmth and wisdom shines through in this beautiful gift for parents, grandparents, teachers and children.
ENDS
- Archbishop Eamon Martin is Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.
- View the video of Pope Francis meeting the children: Meeting with Pope
- View the Book Trailer
- Dear Pope Francis will be published on 1 March and available nationwide from Messenger Publications, priced at €14.99.
- For more information, review copies, images or to arrange an interview with Messenger Publications editor Donal Neary SJ, please contact Caitríona Maher on 01 7758523 or email [email protected].
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm 00353 (0) 87 310 4444
