DUP Calls On President Higgins To Explain Why He Won't Attend Service Marking Partition.

President Higgins is in Rome to meet the Pope today.

The President Michael D Higgins will meet the Pope in Rome today, while the DUP is calling for answer on why he won't attend a church service commemorating the centenary of Northern Ireland and partition.

A mass is being held in Armagh next month by the main religious leaders with the UK's Queen to attend, but the President has said he's not in a position to attend.

While in Italy he's already met with the Italian President.

Adrian Kennedy reports:

"It's been a busy few days for President Higgins, on his first overseas trip since before the Covid 19 Pandemic.

He's already had a series of high-level meetings with the "Arraiolos Group" of 13 non-executive EU Presidents, imcluding Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

Later today Mr. Higgins will meet with Pope Francis, for the fourth time since 2013. The two are expected to discuss economic changes needed post-Covid and the future of Europe. They're also expected to discuss issues such as development, migration and climate change.

Speaking at a reception in the Irish Embassy to Italy on Tuesday evening, Mr Higgins said that he was impressed by the Pope’s leadership on issues facing the global community.

Mr. Higgins will be accompanied at the Vatican by his wife Sabina. "

“I am not snubbing anyone & I am not part of it because I don’t agree with it. They keep referring to me as the President of the Republic of Ireland – I am the President of Ireland" - Michael D Higgins on why he won't attend an NI centenary service.https://t.co/CrbO9GfHX2

— Suzanne Breen (@SuzyJourno) September 17, 2021

Former Taoiseach John Bruton says the President was wrong to reject an invitation to commemorate the centenary of Northern Ireland and partition.

The memorial is to take place in Armagh next month with the UK's Queen to be in attendance.

Mr Bruton says there is time for the President to change his mind.

The Foreign Affairs Minister says the government would 'strongly consider' attending the Northern Ireland centenary event which the President has refused to go to.

Minister Simon Coveney says, however, that the President's call should be respected

.