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The Pope's visit to Ireland has sparked a number of protests over the Catholic Church's handling of multiple clerical abuse scandals.

One protester held up a shocking banner accusing the Pope of being the 'head of the biggest paedophile ring in the history of man' as he made his way through Dublin today.

The country has undergone seismic social changes since the last papal visit in 1979, when John Paul II was lauded by the nation.

But this time scores of demonstrators have taken to the streets - with even more expected later when the Pope heads to Croke Park for a Festival of Families event.

Earlier protesters shouted and swore at him as he passed the entrance to Dublin Castle on Dame Street during the first day of his weekend visit.

(Image: PA) (Image: PA) (Image: Daily Mirror)

They waved banners demanding redress for victims and an end to what they see as a Papal cover-up.

Many at the protest were from the global survivors network End Clergy Abuse who had baby shoes tied around their neck in protest for the children who died in the Mother and Baby Homes across Ireland.

Earlier he spoke of the failure of church authorities to tackle the grave scandal of clerical abuse in Ireland.

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Pope Francis confronted the issue in a speech at Dublin Castle today during his historic visit , saying he shared the feelings of "pain and shame" .

On the first day of his trip to the country, the pontiff said people had a right to be outraged at the response of senior figures in the Catholic Church to the "repellent crimes" inflicted on young people.

His words followed the Irish Prime Minister's speech who referred to cases of clergy child abuse as ‘stains on our church and society’.

In his speech, Pope Francis said: "With regard to the most vulnerable, I cannot fail to acknowledge the grave scandal caused in Ireland by the abuse of young people by members of the church charged with responsibility for their protection and education.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

"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."

But many do not feel he has addressed the issue properly and further protests are expected this evening at Croke Park and tomorrow as he tours Phoenix Park, Knock Holy shrine.

He is also expected to meet with clerical sex abuse victims assembling ahead of a vigil event to coincide with Papal Mass.

One of the abuse survivors present, Colm O'Gorman, called the pope's remarks a staggering effort at deflection that failed to acknowledge what O'Gorman said was the Vatican's role in covering up the crimes.

"It was quite shocking actually in some ways," O'Gorman, a leading abuse campaigner, told national broadcaster RTE.

Large images of abuse victims and the hashtag Stand4Truth - promoting a gathering of survivors and supporters elsewhere in Dublin when the pope says mass on Sunday - were projected onto some of the city's most recognised buildings on Friday night.

They included Dublin's Pro Cathedral, where on Saturday Francis prayed before a candle comemorating abuse victims that was first lit in 2011.