DUBLIN – Judging solely by the large and enthusiastic crowd that turned out to see Pope Francis in Dublin’s Phoenix Park on Sunday afternoon, it would have been hard to tell there’s a serious sexual abuse scandal swirling, featuring accusations of cover-up by some of the highest-ranking members of the Catholic Church – now, potentially, including Pope Francis himself.

The Mass was the concluding act of a Vatican-sponsored World Meeting of Families in Dublin, and it was expected to draw as many as a half-million people to the city’s Phoenix Park.

“There was a lot of negativity, in the press as well, in the last week and it’s just lovely that it’s finally happening and we’re delighted to be here,” said Mary Royam who made her way to the park Sunday despite long distances on foot and rainy, cold weather.

Those weren’t the only storm clouds Francis faced as his 32-hour Irish visit wound down.

In an 11-page statement on Saturday, Italian Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, former papal envoy to the United States from 2011 to 2016, called on Pope Francis to resign for allegedly repealing sanctions imposed on former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick by Pope emeritus Benedict XVI in the late 2000s.

In the statement, Viganò claims to have personally briefed Francis in June 2013 about McCarrick and the charges of misconduct and abuse.

Concerning recent developments, Royam told Crux that, like many at the papal event who have been travelling with little or no sleep, she was not aware of the allegations concerning Francis’s supposed cover-up of the McCarrick case.

“I would be totally shocked, I would be totally, totally shocked by that,” she said.

Royam added she hoped Francis would make an apology to the victims of sexual abuse, not just in Ireland but also in the world, adding that despite the scandals “it’s nice to have a day of celebration.”

Many of the thousands gathered expressed confidence that Francis is committed to handling the sexual abuse crisis and bringing change within the Church.

Francis “really is an excellent pope and I really, really like him,” said Teresa from county Armagh in Northern Ireland.

Concerning abuse, she told Crux that the situation should not have happened and that it was handled poorly.

“You can’t let a few rotten apples spoil the barrel,” Teresa said. “I am very sad for all victims, but I think this man is going to turn things around and make it a wee bit better for victims.”

Teresa said that Ireland, which has undergone revolutions, civil wars, a widespread sexual abuse crisis and financial and economic woes, remains a “strong nation.” She said that Irish people “stick together” through challenges and added confidently that “this man,” meaning Francis, “will sort it all out.”

A group of grandmothers from the Northern Irish coast, who brought their grandchildren to the papal mass, also said that while the news concerning cover-up and abuse needs to be addressed, they believe the pope is committed to bringing change.

“You can’t defend the indefensible,” said Gemma Mc Renna, one of the grandmothers sitting under the rain awaiting Francis’s arrival.

“But this pope seems to be a different pope and I think he is trying to do something. It will be a slow process, but I think he’s a good man. He comes across as very genuine and very humble and I think that is very important,” she said.

Mc Renna added that “it’s not going to be easy,” especially to bring back the many young people who have become disenchanted with the Church.

“In 1979 John Paul said: ‘Youth of Ireland, I love you!’ and that made a big impression on the youth of that time,” she said. “I think he needs to connect with the youth, and I hope he does.”

Young people and their relationship with Catholicism seemed to be the major concern for many families coming to Dublin for the massive event.

For Hellen Graham, who came to Phoenix Park from Belfast in Northern Ireland, this was an opportunity to have her children experience the pope and their faith.

“I don’t want the sexual abuse scandal to mar this special celebration for children and families who have traveled here,” she told Crux.

She said that there was “a lovely vibe,” at the event and did not want to discuss the most recent revelations concerning Francis.

“I can understand people’s pain and hurt, but I am hoping the pope … they just have to come out and they have to sort out those who have been involved in all of this,” she said. “Some kind of action is needed.”

Ronan, a young man of 17, was happy to have a chance to meet the pope – even briefly – for the first time.

“I’ve never seen the pope before,” he said, “I am hoping that he can say something that inspires people to keep on going to Mass, because a lot of my friends don’t go to Mass.”

According to Mary Macarthy, who came to Dublin with her sister, the pope’s visit to Ireland “could be a new opportunity” for the Church to bring people, and especially young people, back into the fold.

“I hope he apologizes for all the abuse scandals coming through the Church, and I think that is very important for all the victims that they get some sort of healing,” Macarthy said. “If he could do that, I think it would be healing also for the next generation coming up.”

“There are a lot of people who have left the Church because of this, especially a lot of young people,” she added, pointing to the desire for spirituality that she believes still exists in Irish society.

“It could be an opportunity if the pope gives the right message,” she said.