Fr Greg Boyle, who is credited with having reduced gangland deaths in Los Angeles, joins President John F. Kennedy, Dorothy Day and Martin Sheen, as a recipient of Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal.

Well-known broadcaster, Miriam O’Callaghan, described Mercy nun at Cuan Mhuire’s 50th anniversary celebration as “a living saint”.

“Every time I go into a prison I ask myself, ‘Why them and not me?’”

“Today in Cuan Mhuire, there is a message of hope. Addiction need not be the last word. We can do something about it” - Bishop Brendan Leahy.

Message for ‘World Day of Peace’ tackles human slavery, migration, slave labour, organ trafficking, those forced into prostitution, and child soldiers.

Pontiff prayed in silence in the symbolic cemetery which is dotted with hundreds of small white crosses.