The pope arrived when Ireland had just approved abortion. The Church was also under scrutiny for its ongoing problems over sexual abuse.
A priest and five parishioners were killed by militia. They also set fire to the parish.
"Prenatal diagnosis with selective purposes is the expression of an inhuman eugenic mentality, which takes away from families the possibility of welcoming, embracing and loving their weakest children," he explained.
He summoned Shimon Peres and Mahmud Abas to the Vatican.
