VATICAN CITY, AUG. 18, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI’s upcoming visit to the United Kingdom will include a visit with the queen, a meeting with other religious leaders, and a beatification ceremony.
Today the Vatican publicized the itinerary for the Pope’s Sept. 16-19 apostolic journey.
He will leave Rome at 8:10 a.m. and arrive at the international airport of Edinburgh, Scotland, at 10:30.
Shortly after, the Pontiff will attend a welcoming ceremony at the Royal Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, where he will make a courtesy visit to Queen Elizabeth II.
At 11:40, the Holy Father will address the authorities in the park of the palace, after which he will depart for lunch in the archbishop’s residence in that same city.
That evening, Benedict XVI will celebrate an open air Mass at 5:15 p.m. in Bellahouston Park in Glasgow, Scotland. After the Mass, he will depart by plane from Glasgow to London.
Sept. 17
The next day, Sept. 17, the Pope will say a private Mass at the apostolic nunciature in Wimbledon.
At 10:00 a.m. he will give an address to leaders from the world of Catholic education at an event in the sports field of St. Mary’s University College in Twickenham.
After this, the Pontiff will meet with leaders of other religions in the Waldegrave Drawing Room of that same college.
He will pay a special courtesy visit to the Anglican archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, in Lambeth Palace. The Holy Father will give an address in the presence of the other Anglican bishops as well as the Catholic prelates of England and Wales.
At 5:10 p.m., Benedict XVI is scheduled to go to Westminster Hall to address representatives of the civil society, as part of his State visit. He will meet with civil leaders from the worlds of academics, culture and business, with the diplomatic corps, and with other religious leaders.
The Pope will conclude that day by participating in an ecumenical celebration in Westminster Abbey along with the archbishop of Canterbury and other Christian leaders.
Sept. 18
On Saturday, Sept. 18, the Pontiff will begin his itinerary with a meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron and other government leaders in the archbishop’s palace.
At 10:00 a.m., the Holy Father will celebrate Mass in the Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, also known as Westminster Cathedral, where he will greet the people of Wales.
Young people will gather in the plaza outside the cathedral to greet Benedict XVI after the Mass.
The Pope will visit St. Peter’s residential home for the elderly in the evening to greet those who are unable to travel to see him, and will then participate in a prayer vigil in Hyde Park.
Sept. 19
On Sunday, Sept. 19, the Pontiff will leave Wimbledon by helicopter for Birmingham, where he will arrive at 9:30 a.m.
At 10:00, he will celebrate Mass and the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman in Cofton Park of Rednal in Birmingham. The Holy Father will give the homily and, after Mass, will recite the Angelus with the pilgrims gathered there.
He will make a private visit to the oratory of St. Philip Neri, where he will be the first person to pray at the new shrine for Cardinal Newman, who will at that time be beatified.
Benedict XVI will conclude his visit with a meeting with the bishops of Scotland, England and Wales, and will depart Birmingham by plane for Rome at 6:45 p.m.
The Pope will arrive in Rome at 10:30.
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full itinerary: www.zenit.org/article-30090?l=english
