Pope Benedict XVI arrives in UK for first official Papal visit
The Pope is visiting Britain from 16 to 19 September as Head of State and the leader of a major denomination.
Pope Benedict XVI has landed at Edinburgh Airport on the first day of his four-day visit, during which he will go to Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Birmingham. Watch the livestream of the visit here.
The Pope will start his visit by attending a State welcome ceremony at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, where he will have an audience with her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. During his trip to Scotland he will celebrate mass in Bellahouston Park, Glasgow.
The Pope will hold a celebration of Catholic Education on Friday 17 September at St Mary’s University College in Twickenham, where he will inaugurate the John Paul II Institute of Sport. He will also address civil society in the Palace of Westminster, and lead a celebration of evening prayer in Westminster Abbey.
On Saturday 18 September, the Pope will hold a Prayer Vigil on the Eve of the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman in Hyde Park, London. This will be followed by the celebration of Mass for the Beatification of the Venerable Cardinal John Henry Newman in Cofton Park in Rednal, Birmingham, on Sunday 19 September.
The visit represents an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen ties between the UK and the Holy See on global initiatives such as climate change and international development, and to emphasise the important role of faith in creating strong communities. Please visit the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Official website for the visit for full details of the itinerary and details of the Popemobile routes.