When Pope John Paul II touched down in Dublin in 1979, he visited a very different Ireland to the country Pope Francis arrived in today.

In between the papal visits, the Catholic Church in Ireland has been rocked by revelations about paedophile priests, sexual abuse and exploitation of women in mother-and-baby homes while today it faces the challenge of falling numbers at Mass and in the priesthood.

But just how much has Catholic Ireland changed in the 40 years between Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis? Read the full story here.

A selection of the best images as Pope Francis becomes the first pontiff in four decades to visit Ireland.

Image source, Charles McQuillan

The Pope has left Dublin Castle - up next in his packed timetable is a visit to St Mary's Pro Cathedral at 3.30pm.

Pope Francis concludes his speech by invoking "God's blessing of wisdom, joy and peace" on the Irish people.

He leaves the podium and shakes hands with Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar.

The Pope says he cannot “fail to acknowledge” the child abuse scandals in Ireland.

Read full story here.

“The failure of ecclesiastical authorities - bishops, religious superiors, priests and others - adequately to address these repellent crimes has rightly given rise to outrage, and remains a source of pain and shame for the Catholic community. I myself share those sentiments”.

Addressing dignitaries at Dublin Castle, Pope Francis says the Church is a “family of families”.

"If we speak of our entire world as a single family, it is because we rightly acknowledge the bonds of our common humanity and we sense our call to unity and solidarity, especially with the weakest of our brothers and sisters.

"Yet all too often, we feel impotent before the persistent evils of racial and ethnic hatred, intractable conflicts and violence, contempt for human dignity and for fundamental human rights, and the growing divide between rich and poor.

"How much we need to recover, in every instance of political and social life, the sense of being a true family of peoples.”

Speaking at Dublin Castle, Pope Francis pointed out that 20 years ago the Good Friday Agreement was signed. He expressed hope for the future.

“We can give thanks for the two decades of peace that followed this historic agreement, while expressing firm hope that the peace process will overcome every remaining obstacle and help give birth to a future of harmony, reconciliation and mutual trust.”

The Pope is now addressing the crowd at Dublin Castle in Italian.

Leo Varadkar tells the Pope, and those at Dublin Castle, that Ireland is a very different place than what it was 39 years ago when Pope John Paul II visited.

"I believe the time has come for us to build a new relationship, a more mature relationship between church and state in Ireland."

He adds that the Pope's visit should mark a new chapter when "religion is not at the centre of our society, but continues to have a very important place".

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar has referred to "dark aspects" of the Catholic Church's history. He's been speaking at Dublin Castle where the Pope is visiting.

Mr Varadkar says: "Magdalene Laundries, mother and baby homes, industrial schools, illegal adoptions and clerical child abuse are stains on our state, our society and also the Catholic Church.

"Wounds are still open and there is much to be done to bring about justice and truth and healing for victims and survivors. Holy Father, I ask that you use your office and influence to ensure this is done here in Ireland and across the world."

Read full story here.

Leo Varadkar is at the podium while the Pope listens on intently.

There are dignitaries from around Ireland and the world waiting to hear the Pope speak at Dublin Castle.

Among them is Senator George Mitchell, the US diplomat who was a key architect in the Good Friday Agreement and Northern Ireland peace process.

Pope Francis signs the Dublin Castle guestbook - we get the feeling he'll have signed his name many times by the end of the day.

Afterwards, he poses for pictures with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. Both will address an audience at Dublin Castle in a few minutes.

The crowd waits for the arrival of the Pope inside Dublin Castle.

The Pope has just arrived at Dublin Castle, where he was greeted by Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar.

Both Pope Francis and Mr Varadkar will address a crowd gathered at the castle shortly.

And with a goodbye wave from President Michael D Higgins and his wife, Sabina, the Pope heads off towards Dublin Castle.

They won't be cutting down this tree at Ireland's presidential residence any time soon...

Spanish flags, papal flags and a big crowd - just some of the sights on the way to Dublin Castle, the Pope's next port of call.