Pope will not visit UK next year

-21/03/06

The Pope will not visit the UK next year.


Pope will not visit UK next year

-21/03/06

The Pope will not visit the UK next year.

The news has come in a statement from the Archbishop of Westminster’s office.

The Vatican has indicated to the Archbishop of Westminster that a papal visit to the UK will not be possible in 2007, “as Pope Benedict has already made many commitments, including some foreign trips, in the course of next year” the statement said.

There has been no further indication as to whether a later visit might be possible.

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Earlier this month the Catholic Church in England and Wales invited Pope Benedict XVI to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor John Paul II, who made an historic visit 24 years ago.

It was understood that the Vatican had not been due to accept or decline the invitation until the end of the month,

However one national newspaper, the Daily Mirror, reported that the date for Pope’s visit to Britain had even been set for next September, which may explain why the news has been released earlier than expected.

Pope Benedict’s predecessor, Pope John Paul II, became the first pontiff to make an official visit to the UK when he came at the end of May 1982.

After touching down at Gatwick airport, the Pope celebrated mass at Westminster cathedral before seeing the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Over the next five days, he said mass to 80,000 people in Wembley stadium, and was welcomed by millions of Catholics as he travelled around England, Scotland and Wales.


Pope will not visit UK next year

-21/03/06

The Pope will not visit the UK next year.

The news has come in a statement from the Archbishop of Westminster’s office.

The Vatican has indicated to the Archbishop of Westminster that a papal visit to the UK will not be possible in 2007, “as Pope Benedict has already made many commitments, including some foreign trips, in the course of next year” the statement said.

There has been no further indication as to whether a later visit might be possible.

Related Articles

Earlier this month the Catholic Church in England and Wales invited Pope Benedict XVI to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor John Paul II, who made an historic visit 24 years ago.

It was understood that the Vatican had not been due to accept or decline the invitation until the end of the month,

However one national newspaper, the Daily Mirror, reported that the date for Pope’s visit to Britain had even been set for next September, which may explain why the news has been released earlier than expected.

Pope Benedict’s predecessor, Pope John Paul II, became the first pontiff to make an official visit to the UK when he came at the end of May 1982.

After touching down at Gatwick airport, the Pope celebrated mass at Westminster cathedral before seeing the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Over the next five days, he said mass to 80,000 people in Wembley stadium, and was welcomed by millions of Catholics as he travelled around England, Scotland and Wales.