Pope Francis is considering visiting Mountjoy Prison when he comes to Ireland in August, it has been revealed. 

Gardai have already made plans for the trip and the idea has been raised with the Taoiseach's office. 

"Pope Francis always takes time to visit a prison and a trip to Mountjoy and the Dochas is certainly on the cards when he is in Dublin," a government source told The Sun. 

A prison spokesperson said they were aware of the planned visit but no formal application had yet been made. 

The pontiff is set to come to Dublin for the World Meeting of Families, which will be held between August 21 and 26.

It will be the first visit to Ireland by a pope since John Paul in 1979. 

READ NEXT: A Dublin Street Has Been Made Into A Computer Game And It's Weirdly Addictive