Pope Francis will formally designate Knock as an International Marian and Eucharistic Shrine on the Feast of St Joseph on Friday, March 19.

In December last year, Pope Francis declared 2021 as the year of Saint Joseph, a declaration that bears particular significance for Knock as St Joseph appeared, together with Our Lady, St John the Evangelist, and the Lamb of God in the Apparition in 1879. Pope Francis visited Knock Shrine in 2018 as part of the World Meeting of Families celebrations.

Pope Francis will deliver a special message via video link recognising Knock Shrine as an International Marian and Eucharistic Shrine during evening Mass on Friday the 19th March. It is also the day that Pope Francis will celebrate the 8th anniversary of his inauguration as Pope.