Waterford Minister Mary Butler has presented Pope Francis with a Waterford Crystal bowl of shamrock at a reception in Vatican City.
She has been attending events in the Vatican and Italy as part of St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
The Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People said: "I was honoured to meet and present Pope Francis with a Waterford Crystal bowl of shamrock in recognition of St Patrick's Day on behalf of the people of Ireland. I understand this is the first time an Irish Minister has presented a bowl of shamrock to a Pope. On receiving the shamrock, the Pope said 'Ah, the land of the green - Ireland!'."
L-R: Fr Paul Finnerty (Rector of the Pontifical Irish College), Minister Mary Butler TD, Ambassador of Ireland to the Holy See Frances Collins
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