Taoiseach Enda Kenny is to meet Pope Francis in the Vatican next Monday.

Enda Kenny had requested the meeting after the decision for the World Meeting of Families to be held in Dublin in 2018, which the Pope is expected to attend.

“Following the decision of the Conference of Irish Bishops to formally invite Pope Francis to attend the World Meeting of Families in Dublin in 2018, the Taoiseach requested this meeting which will take place at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican at 10am,” a Government statement read.

“The Taoiseach will also take the opportunity to personally welcome the decision by Pope Francis to hold the World Meeting of Families in Dublin in August 2018.

“He will express the full support of the Government for the invitation by the Irish Bishops Conference to Pope Francis to visit Ireland in the context of that meeting and assure the Pope that the normal state courtesies and support will be extended to him if he decides to come to Ireland.

“They are also expected to discuss a number of issues of mutual and global interest, including bilateral relations, developments in the European Union and migration.”