Pope Benedict XV1 to Visit Britain in 2010
Roman Pontiff Invited to Britain on Official State Visit
Sep 23, 2009
It is nearly 30 years since the last Papal visit made by Pope John Paul II in 1982. Pope John Paul’s visit was a pastoral one, unlike the proposed visit of Pope Benedict which will be a formal state occasion.
This event is historic, in that it is only the second Papal visit to Britain since Henry VIII broke with Rome more than 500 years ago.
Pope Benedict's Proposed Visit to Britain
It certainly seems as though the British government is trying hard to heal old wounds. The visit of Pope John Paul II drew little comment from Downing Street, who saw it as a matter for the Vatican.
This time around however, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, a staunch Protestant, has himself issued the invitation to Pope Benedict. He is familiar with the Pontiff, having met him three times and it is rumoured in some quarters that he is considering the abolition of the law which prevents a Catholic from ascending the English throne.
And of course, Tony Blair, a surprising convert to Catholicism, also issued an invitation to Pope Benedict, as did Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, who was, at that time, the Archbishop of Westminster.
Pope Benedict and Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman
The Pontiff’s visit in 2010 is being seen as a response to the proposed beatification of Cardinal Newman. Newman founded the Oxford Movement within the Church of England but in 1845 he converted to Catholicism. He died in 1890 and if he is made a saint he would be England’s first saint without martyrdom since the Reformation.
Newman’s cause has been helped by an alleged miracle accorded to him. In the United States, a Roman Catholic deacon who suffered from a spinal disease was miraculously cured by prayers to Cardinal Newman. Pope Benedict approved the claims of a miracle cure and his visit to Britain will no doubt be regarded by Catholics as especially spiritually significant because of the Pope's interest in Newman.
There is speculation that the beatification of the Cardinal could take place with the Pope in Birmingham where Newman founded his Oratory. It would certainly be the high point of his visit.
Pope Benedict Proposed Schedule Not Yet Confirmed
The following is a tentative schedule which has yet to be confirmed as of September 2009:
- London, Birmingham, Oxford and Edinburgh will be visited by the Pope;
- According to British officials, Pope Benedict XVI is not expected to visit Northern Ireland;
- The Pope may speak to both houses of parliament at Westminster Hall where St Thomas More, the patron saint of politicians, was tried and condemned in 1535 for opposing the Act of Supremacy;
- Pope Benedict will meet the Queen, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and;
- He may also be invited to stay with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Is Pope Benedict’s Visit Cause for Optimism?
The visit of John Paul II created great excitement amongst Britain’s Catholic population. No doubt officials will be hoping for a similar reaction this time around. Pope Benedict’s visit will come at a time of increasing warmth between the British state and the Vatican.
Given the official status assigned to his visit, the pending beatification of Cardinal Newman and an invitation to visit the crucible of Reformation Britain, Parliament, there seems to be a genuine desire by government to ensure that Benedict’s visit is of benefit to everyone, whether that takes the form of political opportunism or spiritual healing.
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Sources:
- BBC News online. Accessed 23 September, 2009.
- The Times online. Accessed 23 September, 2009.
- BBC News R4 6:00 p.m. Accessed 23 September, 2009.
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