VATICAN CITY (CNS) – After meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said the pope confirmed he will visit Ireland in 2018 and that trip organizers would look at the possibility of a stop in Northern Ireland.

A Vatican statement said the two discussed the Catholic Church’s contributions to Ireland, particularly “in the social and educational fields,” and about how important it is for Christians to take an active role in public life, “especially in the promotion of respect for the dignity of every person.