Pope Francis gives thumbs up to Royal Irish Regiment band

The sound of Irish pipes and drums filled the Vatican air in June 1944 to celebrate the liberation of Rome.

At the invitation of Pope Pius XII, the 38th (Irish) Brigade, after fighting at Sicily and Monte Cassino, paraded in St Peter’s Square.

An account from the time recalled the pontiff tapping his foot as music was played including Killaloe and The Sash.

Eighty years later, the Royal Irish Regiment received a thumbs up from Pope Francis as they re-created the scene.

Pipers, buglers and drummers from the R Irish switched their attention to Rome after attending last week’s D-Day commemorations in France.

Among the music they played while parading through St Peter’s Square on Wednesday morning were Star of the County Down and The Green Glens of Antrim.

There was applause from onlookers as they took their seats in the front row for Pope Francis’ general audience.

Piper Angus McIlroy told BBC News NI it was an “epic and phenomenal” parade to be part of.

“We followed in our regimental father’s footsteps. It was an amazing job.”

The piper also played alone on Sword Beach during Thursday’s dawn D-Day vigil in France.

He described this as an emotional experience as he stood “waiting on the sun coming up to think 80 years ago on that very spot my forefathers launched to take back Europe and to provide the peace and stability we have”.

American Fifth Army troops reached the centre of the Italian capital on the evening of 4 June 1944.

US President Franklin D Roosevelt welcomed the capture of Rome by saying “one up, two to go” in reference to it being the first Axis capital to fall.

Huge crowds took to the streets of Rome to celebrate the withdrawal of German forces, while Pope Pius XII appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.

“In recent days we trembled for the fate of the city,” he said.

“Today we rejoiced because, thanks to the joint goodwill of both sides, Rome has been saved from the horrors of war.”

Italy had become a focus for the Allies after success against Germany in north Africa.

The 38th (Irish) Brigade fought in both campaigns, including soldiers from the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

On 12 June 1944, soldiers from the 38th (Irish) Brigade were among the first Allied forces to meet Pope Pius XII.

An account from Brig Pat Scott, commander of 2 Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, recorded him saying: “You belong to the nation which has ever belonged to God’s church since St Patrick.

“We greet you and bless you with all our heart’s affection, and your dear ones at home.”

In another account from 1944, CQMS Edmund O’Sullivan said he recognised Orange Order members among the Irish sergeants who were involved in the event.

Pope Pius XII “tapped his foot to the beat of the martial music and obviously enjoyed the alien sound”, he noted, with the Orange Order marching tune The Sash among those played in the heart of the Vatican.

In marking the event’s anniversary, the R Irish delegation also met the Swiss Guard and the UK’s Ambassador to The Holy See, Chris Trott, on Wednesday.

They are hosting a service of thanksgiving and remembrance at the Basilica di San Silvestro.