Pope speaks about UK visit
The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has said he is looking forward to visiting the UK from 16 to 19 September 2010.
In his weekly General Audience, the Pope said:
“I am very much looking forward to my visit to the United Kingdom in a week’s time and I send heartfelt greetings to all the people of Great Britain. I am aware that a vast amount of work has gone into the preparations for the visit, not only by the Catholic community but by the Government, the local authorities in Scotland, London and Birmingham, the communications media and the security services, and I want to say how much I appreciate the efforts that have been made to ensure that the various events planned will be truly joyful celebrations. Above all I thank the countless people who have been praying for the success of the visit and for a great outpouring of God’s grace upon the Church and the people of your nation.”
The Pope said he is most grateful to Her Majesty the Queen and to His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury for receiving him, and commented on how much he is looking forward to meeting representatives of the many different religious and cultural traditions that make up the British population, as well as civil and political leaders. He spoke of beatifying the Venerable John Henry Newman in Birmingham on Sunday 19 September as a particular joy.
During his visit, the Pope will visit Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Birmingham. At certain times during the visit the Holy Father will be travelling in the Popemobile, and details for routes through Edinburgh and London have been announced. Please visit the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Official Papal visit website for full details of the itinerary and Popemobile routes.