The Bishop of Meath, Dr Michael Smith, has said he is hopeful that Pope John Paul will visit Northern Ireland this year.
He told RTÉ News that Pope John Paul has consistently expressed the wish to complete his Irish visit of 25 years ago when he had to cancel plans to go to the North.
The Catholic hierarchy is expected to invite the Pope to Ireland this autumn to mark the 25th anniversary of his original visit in September 1979.
The decision was made in principle at a meeting of the Bishops' Conference in Maynooth last week.
The paper says the decision to make the trip would hinge on the state of the 84-year-old Pontiff's health and could also depend on whether the British government allows him to visit the North.
The Government would also have to approve a Papal visit as a huge security operation would have to be mounted.
