An Post offers to send Mass cards to the Vatican for free

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

An Post is offering to send Mass or sympathy cards to the Vatican for free for people who wish to pay their respects to Pope Francis.

The 88-year-old, who died on Easter Monday, has been dubbed by some as the “people’s pope”, having spoken out for the poor and those in need in his lifetime and shunned many of the extravagances that come with papal life.

In St Peter’s Square, thousands have stood in line for hours, sometimes overnight, for the chance to pay their respects to the late Pope.

The postal service said it would deliver Mass or sympathy cards to the Vatican free-of charge for anyone who wants to express their condolences.

Post offices had received queries from the public looking for advice on what was the correct address and stamp to use.

In response, the postal service said it would offer the service for free and send cards to the Vatican from Ireland in one batch in three weeks’ time.

An Post said: “Cards may be posted to the following PO Box for free until May 14 and An Post will ensure they are delivered directly to the Vatican:

“Cards to the Vatican, PO Box 13812, FREEPOST, Dublin 1.”

On Thursday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin signed a book of condolence for Pope Francis at the residence of the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin.

Books of condolences are also open at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Dublin, Galway Cathedral, the Apparition Chapel in Knock, and St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh.

St Patrick’s Cathedral will also hold a memorial mass at 7pm on Thursday in memory of the late pope, with Archbishop Eamon Martin as the chief celebrant.

Archbishop Martin; President Micheal D Higgins and his wife, Sabina; Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris are all expected to attend the Pope’s funeral on Saturday.

Global leaders including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will also attend.