Pope Benedict XVI visited England and Scotland on an historic four-day Papal state visit from 16 – 19 September 2010. To mark the tenth anniversary of the Papal Visit, we’re re-releasing all the speeches, addresses and homilies given by Pope Benedict XVI as he came to these shores, primarily, to beatify the nineteenth century theologian and educationalist Cardinal John Henry Newman – now Saint John Henry Newman.
17th September 2020
After a service of Evening Prayer, Pope Benedict XVI addressed Dr Rowan Williams and those present in Westminster Abbey.
“Our commitment to Christian unity is born of nothing less than our faith in Christ, in this Christ, risen from the dead and seated at the right hand of the Father, who will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.”
Recorded on Friday, 17 September 2010.
17th September 2020
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.
17th September 2020
Pope Benedict XVI responded to then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams’ address at Lambeth Palace. He greeted the gathered Anglican Bishops from around the UK as well as his brother Bishops from the Catholic Dioceses of England, Wales and Scotland. He also addressed the ecumenical guests in attendance.
Recorded on Friday, 17 September 2010.
17th September 2020
Mid afternoon on the second day of his historic state visit to the UK, Pope Benedict XVI makes a fraternal visit to the then Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams at Lambeth Palace.
Here, Dr Williams greets Benedict XVI at his official London residence.
Recorded on Friday, 17 September 2010.
17th September 2020
Pope Benedict XVI addressed representatives of Britain’s religions gathered in the Waldegrave Drawing Room at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham. Having listened to addresses by the Chief Rabbi and Dr Khaled Assam a representative of the Musim community, Benedict XVI stressed the importance of dialogue and working collaboratively:
“As followers of different religious traditions working together for the good of the community at large, we attach great importance to this ‘side by side’ dimension of our cooperation, which complements the ‘face to face’ aspect of our continuing dialogue.”
Recorded on Friday, 17 September 2010.
17th September 2020
Pope Benedict joined the leaders of other religions in the Waldegrave Drawing Room. After a speech by the Chief Rabbi, Dr Khaled Assam addressed Pope Benedict XVI on behalf of the Muslim community.
Recorded on Friday, 17 September 2010.
17th September 2020
Staying at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, Pope Benedict joined the leaders of other religions in the Waldegrave Drawing Room. Here the Chief Rabbi at the time, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks addressed Benedict XVI on behalf of the Jewish community.
Recorded on Friday, 17 September 2010.
17th September 2020
Pope Benedict visited St Mary’s University, Twickenham to celebrate The Big Assembly and to meet with teachers, pupils and educational leaders.
When speaking to the young people gathered, he urged them not to be limited:
“When I invite you to become saints, I am asking you not to be content with second best. I am asking you not to pursue one limited goal and ignore all the others.”
Recorded on Friday, 17 September 2010.
16th September 2020
Having traveled through Edinburgh in the Popemobile with thousands of passionate Scots lining the streets, Pope Benedict XVI headed for Glasgow to celebrate Mass with a crowd of over 70,000 in the city’s Bellahouston Park – a place where his successor John Paul II had celebrated Mass when he visited Scotland in 1982.
Recorded on Thursday, 16 September 2010.
16th September 2020
Pope Benedict XVI starts his State visit to the UK in Edinburgh at the Palace of Holyroodhouse where he is welcomed to the UK by Her majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Here’s Pope Benedict XVI’s response to the Queen’s welcome.
Recorded on Thursday, 16 September 2010.
16th September 2020
Pope Benedict XVI starts his State visit to the UK in Edinburgh at the Palace of Holyroodhouse where he is welcomed to the UK by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Recorded on Thursday, 16 September 2010.
11th September 2020
From 16 – 19 September 2020, to mark the tenth anniversary of the Papal Visit, we’re re-releasing all the speeches, addresses and homilies given by Pope Benedict XVI as he came to these shores, primarily, to beatify the nineteenth century theologian and educationalist Cardinal John Henry Newman – now Saint John Henry Newman.
Timing-wise, we’ll publish on a schedule of ‘real time plus 10 years’ so the series kicks off with Her Majesty The Queen’s words of welcome up at the Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh, takes in iconic moments like The Big Assembly in Twickenham; the address to MPs and civic society in Parliament; the iconic night vigil in Hyde Park in the presence of 80,000 pilgrims and the centre piece in Cofton Park Birmingham where John Henry Newman is declared “Blessed”.
