The Taoiseach has become one of the first international leaders to be granted a private audience by Pope Benedict XVI since his election last April.
Mr Ahern met Pope Benedict in private audience at 11am today for half an hour. His visit was followed by an hour-long meeting with Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Angelo Sedano.
Government sources indicated that today's meetings followed an initiative by Ireland's Embassy to the Holy See - on encouragement from Cardinal Sedano.
There had been regular contact between the Holy See and Ireland towards the end of last year as agreement in the North seemed likely. Pope John Paul II had hoped to see peace secured in Northern Ireland before he died.
Last November, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern had a private audience with Pope John Paul II during celebrations in Rome to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the Holy See.