More than half of Irish people (53 per cent) say their favourite thing to talk about over a cup of tea is friends and family

Irish premier Micheal Martin and Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill have also congratulated the new pontiff.

Political leaders in Ireland have been passing on congratulations at the new Pope was elected in Rome.

Political leaders across the island of Ireland have reflected on the legacy of Pope Francis after attending his funeral on Saturday.

The Sinn Fein vice president has cut short a family holiday to attend Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome.

Marguerite O’Leary and her teenage daughter Ellen stood for more than five hours on Wednesday to be among the first members of the public to see the late pontiff’s remains inside St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, 77, who lived in Drimnagh, Dublin, made the announcement on Easter Monday.

Referendums are being held next month on plans to change the Constitution.

Michael D Higgins also said ‘our hearts are made heavy’ by the loss of so many young lives in the Middle East conflict.

Elder Patrick Kearon is now a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

In a shared statement church leaders said the visit is taking place at a time of ‘great concern for the state of our fragile peace’.