Abuse survivor David Ryan, who featured in the RTÉ documentary Blackrock Boys, will be received in private audience by Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican today.
He is the first abuse survivor to meet the new pope in a private capacity alone.
At just after 10am Irish time, Mr Ryan will pass through security at a side entrance to the Vatican, from where he will be ushered to the Pope's library.
Mr Ryan will be accompanied as far as the meeting room by the One in Four CEO, Deirdre Kenny; the private audience will take place at noon (11am Irish time).
David Ryan will wear cufflinks that belonged to his brother Mark, along with an unworn shirt also given to him by his older brother before died in 2023.
Both brothers were abused by Spiritan priests, neither knowing of the other’s plight at the time.
This is the story David Ryan will bring to Pope Leo today, in an effort to highlight the lasting impact the abuse had on their lives - and on the lives of all victims.
