A LANDMARK IN PHOENIX PARK
![THE PAPAL CROSS [A LANDMARK IN PHOENIX PARK]-231189-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/ChurchAndGraveWordPress/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/THE-PAPAL-CROSS-A-LANDMARK-IN-PHOENIX-PARK-231189-1-1422x1067.jpg "THE PAPAL CROSS [A LANDMARK IN PHOENIX PARK]-231189-1")
![THE PAPAL CROSS [A LANDMARK IN PHOENIX PARK]-231187-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/ChurchAndGraveWordPress/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/THE-PAPAL-CROSS-A-LANDMARK-IN-PHOENIX-PARK-231187-1-1422x1067.jpg "THE PAPAL CROSS [A LANDMARK IN PHOENIX PARK]-231187-1")
![THE PAPAL CROSS [A LANDMARK IN PHOENIX PARK]-231188-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/ChurchAndGraveWordPress/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/THE-PAPAL-CROSS-A-LANDMARK-IN-PHOENIX-PARK-231188-1-1422x1067.jpg "THE PAPAL CROSS [A LANDMARK IN PHOENIX PARK]-231188-1")
![THE PAPAL CROSS [A LANDMARK IN PHOENIX PARK]-231191-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/ChurchAndGraveWordPress/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/THE-PAPAL-CROSS-A-LANDMARK-IN-PHOENIX-PARK-231191-1-1422x1067.jpg "THE PAPAL CROSS [A LANDMARK IN PHOENIX PARK]-231191-1")
![THE PAPAL CROSS [A LANDMARK IN PHOENIX PARK]-231192-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/ChurchAndGraveWordPress/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/THE-PAPAL-CROSS-A-LANDMARK-IN-PHOENIX-PARK-231192-1-1422x1067.jpg "THE PAPAL CROSS [A LANDMARK IN PHOENIX PARK]-231192-1")
![THE PAPAL CROSS [A LANDMARK IN PHOENIX PARK]-231190-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/ChurchAndGraveWordPress/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/THE-PAPAL-CROSS-A-LANDMARK-IN-PHOENIX-PARK-231190-1-1422x1067.jpg "THE PAPAL CROSS [A LANDMARK IN PHOENIX PARK]-231190-1")
The Papal Cross: A Landmark of Faith and History in Phoenix Park
Located in Dublin’s sprawling Phoenix Park, the Papal Cross stands as a stark and imposing monument commemorating Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Ireland in 1979. This 35-meter (115-foot) tall, white steel cross served as the central backdrop for a momentous open-air Mass celebrated by the Pope, attended by over one million people.
History
A Monument to a Moment: The Papal Cross was designed by the renowned architects Scott Tallon Walker and erected hastily in the weeks before Pope John Paul II’s arrival. Despite being intended as a temporary structure, the cross garnered immense symbolic power and has become a permanent feature of Phoenix Park.
Enduring Symbol: The cross was once again a focal point during Pope Francis’s visit to Ireland in 2018. It stands as a reminder of the deep, though recently complex, relationship between Ireland and the Catholic Church.
Architecture
Stark Simplicity: The Papal Cross is a study in stark minimalism. Its design comprises simple steel beams painted white, forming a Latin cross that dominates the surrounding parkland.
Engineering Feat: The cross is notable for its size and the engineering skill required for its construction. It took several attempts to erect due to high winds.
Significance
Faith and Nation: The Papal Cross marks a turning point in Irish history, reflecting a time when the Catholic Church held enormous influence in the nation. It is a symbol of deep-rooted faith for many but also a reminder of the Church’s changing role in modern Ireland.
Controversies: The cross has faced some calls for removal, with critics arguing it’s an overly dominant religious symbol in a public park or that it represents a painful part of Irish history associated with Church scandals.
Landmark: Regardless of its religious meaning, the Papal Cross has become an iconic Dublin landmark, its vast silhouette visible from many parts of the city.
Visiting the Papal Cross
The Papal Cross is freely accessible within Phoenix Park. You can walk or cycle to it, appreciating its impressive scale within the park’s landscape. A plaque near the cross commemorates Pope John Paul II’s 1979 Mass.