Pope Benedict XVI addressed Members of both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall on Friday 17 September as part of his official State visit. The then-Speaker John Bercow welcomed Pope Benedict to the Palace of Westminster. In his address to MPs, peers, diplomats, academics and business leaders, he said:
“Religion is not a problem for legislators to solve, but a vital contributor to the national conversation. In this light, I cannot but voice my concern at the increasing marginalisation of religion, particularly of Christianity, that is taking place in some quarters, even in nations which place a great emphasis on tolerance.”
Recorded on Friday, 17 September 2010.