‘I couldn’t believe he was in front of us’

FAMILY TIES When Pope Francis stepped off the plane onto the tarmac the first people to greet him were John and Mary McCarthy, along with their four children, Saoirse Anne (11), Michael (10) and eight-year-old twins, Ruby and Robyn. Pic: Maxwells

Pope Francis greeted by Charlestown family

Anton McNulty

Pope Francis’ arrival at Knock Airport will live long in the memory of many people, but it was a truly special day for the McCarthy family from Charlestown.
When Pope Francis stepped off the plane onto the tarmac the first people to greet him were John and Mary McCarthy, along with their four children, Saoirse Anne (11), Michael (10) and eight-year-old twins, Ruby and Robyn.
“As a family we will treasure this moment forever. I was crying after he walked away. I am so honoured and lucky to have met him,” Mary McCarthy told The Mayo News shortly after Pope Francis left for Knock Shrine.
The McCarthys were chosen to greet Pope Francis after he asked that a family meet him at the airport, in a gesture that chimed with the ethos of the World Meeting of Families.
Eleven-year-old Saoirse Anne presented Pope Francis with a bunch of flowers, and he in turn  blessed the family and presented them with rosary beads.
“I was nervous in the beginning but then I got really excited,” Saoirse Anne said afterwards. “It was an amazing feeling. I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night I was up all night. It was amazing just to see him. I couldn’t wait to meet him and shake his hand. I never thought I would get that close to Pope Francis.”
Mary said that time seemed to stand still as she waited for Pope Francis to come down the steps. When he did, she welcomed him to the west of Ireland with a kiss on each cheek.
“I couldn’t believe he was in front of us. He wasn’t in a rush and genuinely looked so happy to be here. He adored the kids and gave each of them rosary beads, blessed each one of them and asked them to pray for him.
“He is such a calm person and very gentle and kind. He seemed just like everyone else, he was normal, there were no airs and graces about him. This experience will live on for me forever. We will mind and treasure the rosary beads, and I will definitely pray for him every night.”
John McCarthy is the airport’s Head of Operations, and it is his responsibility to ensure that everything runs smoothly. As the rain poured down before the Pope’s arrival, Mary laughed as she said that they had put the Child of Prague outside hoping for it to clear.
“The weather conditions were poor this morning. I won’t lie to you. I had a nervous night’s sleep, but it’s good now,” he said with a sense of relief before Pope Francis’ arrival. “If we didn’t have CAT 2 [landing] equipment he would not be coming here today. It shows you have to invest and if you have the equipment you can do it.”