Downpatrick would be a rich place for Pope Francis to visit
I am delighted that Pope Francis will visit Ireland, north and South, in 2018 and I will be liaising with the relevant church authorities in the hope that His Holiness will visit Downpatrick, which is the cradle of Christianity in Ireland, where Saint Patrick began and ended his ministry.
Downpatrick is one of Ireland’s most ancient and historic towns and has a wealth of sites and artefacts linked to our Patron Saint.
Patrick’s Grave is a place of pilgrimage and the area would provide an interesting and rich visit for Pope Francis.
Margaret Ritchie, SDLP MP South Down