The historic meeting between the Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, and Pope John Paul II has already been condemned by elements within the Orange Order's leadership.
It was clearly evident yesterday that the meeting had done little to enhance Mr Trimble's standing in Upper Bann.
In Portadown's loyalist estates, their was open hostility toward Mr Trimble. Many residents accused their MP of "putting his personal status above the interests of his constituents". The response was typified by one woman who said: "The loyalist people of this town and Drumcree put David Trimble into office. Now he has turned his back on us. That's a fatal mistake; this town and Drumcree will now destroy Trimble."
Mr Ivor Young, an Orangeman, said: "It is unbelievable that this meeting is actually taking place. I t totally contradicts the oath that David Trimble took when he joined the Orange Order. We all knew Trimble was a traitor. This latest escapade puts the final nail in his political coffin here in Upper Bann."
Mr David Jones, the press officer for Portadown Orange District, said the people of Portadown once again saw their MP on "a world stage" instead of being involved locally. In a direct reference to the Drumcree protest which has continued for 288 days, he said Mr Trimble "doesn't seem to have any interest in resolving the problems of Portadown".
On Portadown's Garvaghy Road, there was also criticism of Mr Trimble's visit. `It's amazing how he can travel to Rome to meet and talk to strangers," one nationalist resident said, "yet he can't be bother to travel less than 30 miles to meet us, to talk about the serious issues that confront this community. After all, we are as much his constituents as are the loyalists in this town."
Reacting to the meeting, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said "It is a good thing that David Trimble has met the Pope. Perhaps he will now meet with his Catholic neighbours and constituents of the Garvaghy Road."
He added few Orangemen were aware that during the 17th century, the then Pope had paid part of King William of Orange's war expenses.