Taoiseach Enda Kenny will meet with Pope Francis in The Vatican on Monday November 28th.

Mr Kenny requested the meeting after the decision of the Conference of Irish Bishops to formally invite the Pope to attend the World Meeting of Families in Dublin in 2018.

The meeting between the Pontiff and the Taoiseach will take place at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican at 10.00am.

Mr Kenny will also take the opportunity to "personally welcome" the decision by the pope to hold the World Meeting of Families in the Irish capital.

"He will express the full support of the Government for the invitation by the Irish Bishops Conference to Pope Francis to visit Ireland in the context of that meeting," a statement from the Government press office says.

It also says he will assure the pope that the normal state courtesies and support will be extended to him if he decides to come to Ireland.

The two men are expected to discuss a number of issues - including bilateral relations, developments in the European Union and migration.