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19th September: Well, it's all finished now ... but the work has now begun, as we continue to pray for the Pope and start once again on the reform of our lives.

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3 days to go until Pope Benedict XVI visits England and Scotland (13th September)

Interview with the organiser of the Visit, Mgr Andrew Summersgill

We released this week the more precise timings about the popemobile routes, can you tell us about those?

Monsignor Andrew Summersgill: Certainly yes, it's all now confirmed and worked out properly that Pope Benedict will travel in the popemobile every day that he is in the United Kingdom. So when he arrives on Thursday after the audience with Her Majesty The Queen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Pope will travel by popemobile to the residence of Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien. The main route for that is along Princes Street through the centre of Edinburgh where earlier in the day the St Ninian's Day Parade will have taken place. Every time the Holy Father travels in the popemobile the route is barriered and the road is closed so it will be quite clear where he is travelling. On Thursday we would expect that to be around about 12:30pm that he will be travelling along Princes Street. Then on the following day on Friday in the evening, after the Holy Father has met with the Archbishop of Canterbury in Lambeth Palace and has spoken with the Catholic and Anglican bishops of England, Scotland and Wales, he will travel in the popemobile across Lambeth bridge and along Millbank to the Palace of Westminster where he will deliver his address to civil society, and that is likely to be around 5pm. After the address there will be another brief movement by the Pope in the popemobile from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey and that should be at around about 6pm. Then on Saturday, the 18th September the Holy Father will travel to Hyde Park for the Vigil in the popemobile and he will travel along Horse Guards Road up the Mall and up Constitution Hill to Hyde Park Corner and into Hyde Park. So that's quite a long ceremonial route and again the roads will be closed and barriered, so it will be quite easy for people to gather to welcome him and to greet him and we expect that to be at 6pm in the evening. And then on the last day that Pope Benedict is with us on Sunday, after he has celebrated the beatification of Cardinal Newman in Cofton Park, for part of his journey to the Oratory then along the Hagley Road the Pope will be travelling in the popemobile and again it will be an opportunity for people to gather and to greet him for the time that he’s in the Midlands.

How are preparations going at the sites of the large events?

Mgr AS: Well they’re going well, in Cofton Park in Birmingham the building is well underway and the sanctuary area particularly is being constructed and it looks very impressive. In Scotland in Bellahouston Park the building has started there. And in Hyde Park the arena where Pope Benedict will be going for the Prayer Vigil has been constructed because part of it, some of the staging, is being used for Proms in the Park. So once Proms in the Park has taken place then during the week everything will be adapted so that it will be ready then on Saturday for the Vigil.

And it was nice to hear a message from the Pope this Wednesday about his trip to Britain?

Mgr AS: That's right yes, the Pope spoke at his general audience saying how much he was looking forward to coming to the United Kingdom and thanking in advance everybody who'd done so much work to prepare for the visit. And above all thanking everybody who has been praying for the success of the visit. I think he highlighted three things really, the first was that he is looking forward to the celebration of the beatification of Cardinal Newman on 19th September, and also then his meetings with The Queen and with the Archbishop of Canterbury. So it's good to know that he's looking forward to it as much as we are.

And the Church is making plans to respond to enquiries from people that want to know more about the Catholic faith?

Mgr AS: That's right yes. The Catholic Enquiry Office, which does regularly receive enquiries about the faith during the year, has put together a volunteer team covering every diocese of England and Wales. It is based across the country and what they're trying to do is to be there to be available for people who have enquiries about the Church and the faith as a result of the Papal Visit, and it’s intended that they'll be available from now up until towards the end of September.

What are some of your hopes for the visit?

Mgr AS: I think my hopes for the visit are the same as they've always been really, that it will be a successful visit, that Pope Benedict will feel welcomed, and that people who gather to be with the Holy Father and who hear and see him on radio and television and on the internet hear his message, and see him as the successor of Peter, and that everything goes smoothly. I've got every confidence that it will, there are an awful lot of people working very very hard, and they have been for months, to put everything in place and I’ve got every confidence that it will be a great time for us all.

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The booklet for the Visit has now been produced (25th August):

A million copies of ‘Magnificat' are being distributed to parishes across England, Scotland and Wales over the next week. The handbook contains the texts for the times of public prayer that the Holy Father will participate in, together with a series of brief articles about the Visit. It comes in a hard-wearing, pocket-sized format which makes it easy to carry around and ‘pray as you go’ and to take to Papal liturgies.

Papal Visit Co-ordinator, Monsignor Andrew Summersgill said: “Although (a million copies) isn’t enough for everybody who regularly attends Mass, it is enough for each household, certainly, to have a copy. And also of course for those people who are going either to Bellahouston, to Hyde Park, or to Cofton Park. It will also be helpful for those who will be following the Pope from home, or from gatherings in their own parish. It’s designed to help across the board."

The publication has been produced by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and Scotland in co-operation with Gabriel Communications, the Catholic Truth Society and Magnificat. It also includes texts for the Liturgy of the Church (Morning and Evening Prayer, and the Mass) for some days before and after the Papal Visit.

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Mgr Andrew Summersgill, co-ordinator of the Papal Visit to the UK, recently spoke to the Catholic Communications Network:

There was a lot of interest last week in the timeline of events for the Papal Visit, shall we have a look at some of the main parts of this?

Mgr Andrew Summersgill: Yes, by all means. The itinerary I think is more or less as it was when an outline was published about a month ago, but in keeping with its normal practice the Holy See has now published a much more detailed and timed itinerary of what Pope Benedict will be doing while he’s in the UK. As we know, he’ll be going to Edinburgh where he’ll begin his visit by meeting with Her Majesty The Queen and there will be a reception in Holyroodhouse. And then in the afternoon Pope Benedict will travel to Glasgow to celebrate Mass in Bellahouston Park.

On the Friday the Pope spends the day in London and will be in St Mary’s University College, firstly to begin the day with prayer with representatives of religious congregations. Then he will meet with children and young people to celebrate Catholic education. That will be broadcast on the internet and the invitation is there to all Catholic schools and colleges, and indeed any school and college, to participate in that and to be part of that at the beginning of the academic year. And then Pope Benedict will conclude the morning by meeting with representatives of other religions and people of faith, to reflect together on the importance of faith in society. Then in the afternoon Pope Benedict will have his meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury. He will then go to Westminster Hall to speak to representatives of British society, before concluding the day with prayer, with evening prayer in Westminster Abbey.

Saturday begins with courtesy calls from the political leaders of this country. Then the celebration of Mass in Westminster Cathedral during which there will be a particular moment for young people and also a greeting to Wales, because as we know sadly the Pope can’t go to Wales because of the pressures of time.  And then in the afternoon Pope Benedict will go and visit older people in St Peter’s, and then join the Vigil which will have started in Hyde Park. He will join that for the end part of that which will particularly include, while he is there, his address and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. 

And then the final day of the Visit sees the Pope travelling to Birmingham to celebrate the beatification of Cardinal Newman in Cofton Park, followed by a brief personal visit to the Birmingham Oratory. And then to Oscott College where he will have lunch with the bishops of England, Scotland and Wales. He will meet with them and then move to Birmingham airport for the departure and farewell ceremony, and return to Rome. So it’s quite a detailed programme, and then within that there will be times which will be published in due course where we will be making clear when Pope Benedict will be travelling in the Popemobile. And those will be the times when people will be able to see him as he travels around and to greet him on those occasions as well.

What do you think are some of the most significant events?

Mgr AS: Well I think for all those concerned they are all significant. But I suppose in terms of some of the highlights, if you like, the beatification of Cardinal Newman is clearly a highlight, and it’s the Church reason if you like for Pope Benedict coming here. In terms of the other parts of the visit I think the very beginning of it, the meeting between Pope Benedict and The Queen, will be particularly significant. I’m looking forward to listening to what both of them have to say to each other at that point. And I think also those series of things on the Friday afternoon, the Pope going to Lambeth and then travelling back across the river, to Westminster firstly to the Palace of Westminster to speak in Westminster Hall, and then to pray in Westminster Abbey. I think those will be lovely moments as well.

And the Missal has been published for the Papal Visit, what are the plans for sending this out to the parishes?

Mgr AS: Yes, the Missal has been prepared and it’s been delivered to the distributors and so it’s now being packed up. The plan is that towards the end of this week and the beginning of next week it will be distributed to parishes across England, Scotland and Wales. There are approximately one million copies of the Missal available. Although that isn’t enough for everybody who regularly attends Mass it is enough for each household, certainly, to have a copy. And also of course those people who are going either to Bellahouston, to Hyde Park, or to Cofton Park. They need to get their copy from their local parish as well so that they can take them with them, because it has all the details of the liturgy in that they will need. They will be available in time for 5th September which is two weeks before the visit and we hope that it will be a helpful aid for those who are attending the papal gatherings. It will also be helpful for those who will be following the Pope from home, or from in gatherings in their own parish, it’s designed to help across the board. A lot of hard work has gone into it. It looks really good I think. We will be asking people if they would like to make a donation towards the costs. That would be really helpful and information will be given by local priests as to how do that. So it’s a great step forward really, it shows us that  the Pope’s on the way and it shows that the excitement’s rising really, it’s great.

And there’s some really good news this week, some organisations are planning prayer campaigns for the Holy Father and for the success of the Papal Visit, did you hear about that?

Mgr AS: I did, yes. I think the one you’re talking about is Aid to the Church in Need who’ve organised that. I’m also aware of a spiritual bouquet that has been prepared by the Catholic Women’s League.  I’m sure those prayers join with lots and lots of others who are praying both for Pope Benedict and also for the success of the Visit. I know certainly in the parish I was in this weekend helping out, the bidding prayers included a prayer for the success of the Papal Visit, so that was lovely.

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The diocese is privileged to be able to send three young people to act as media officers to the papal events. Laurence and Jess Taylor, and Jordan Pitt were picked for this exciting task. They will be liaising with local and national media as well as producing regular updates to the website before, during and after Pope Benedict's visit.

Today, we introduce Laurence and Jess:

My name is Laurence Taylor. I am nineteen years old and am currently an F.E. student on a music performance course in Manchester. I will be acting on behalf of Salford diocese as a youth communications officer for the papal visit in September. I have been given this privileged position through my involvement with Salford Cathedral where I have been head altar server for many years. I am very much looking forward to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and hope I will do justice to the position.

My name is Jessica Taylor and I am seventeen years old. I am currently studying for my A levels at Stretford Grammar School. I have been selected as one of three youth communications officers to cover the Papal visit through my involvement within Salford Cathedral and the wider community of the diocese. I am very much looking forward to this unique opportunity to fulfil such a privileged and exciting role.

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On Friday 9th July 2010, various young people from the diocese took part in an all-day training programme with the media in preparation for their own role as media officers during the visit. Here Jordan Pitt recounts what happened:

On Friday 9th July, in preparation to undertake our roles of Communications Officers, Lorraine Leonard (Youth Co-ordinator), Laurie and Jessica Taylor and I attended the ‘Papal Visit Communications Officers Training Day’ at LACE (Liverpool Archdiocese Centre for Evangelisation). The programme was built to strengthen and improve our knowledge of the social media and understand how it can be used to the greatest capacity. 

The day began with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Patrick Kelly. During Mass, the Archbishop highlighted the responsibilities and importance of being a Communications Officer.

After Mass, Archbishop Kelly briefly introduced the training day, before handing over to ITV anchorman and producer, Rob McLoughlin. Rob, a Catholic, who frequently works with Archbishop Kelly and other religious leaders, shared his expertise on the social media. As a television commentator for the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1982, he was able to give an inside view of communications for a Papal visit.

After a short coffee break we continued with the next part of the day. Jonathan Bannister and Catherine Staite from ‘Make Happy’, a new marketing and advertising company led the session. The session was all about generating as much joyful noise as possible about the Papal visit. We explored the different social media tools which are available to us, and decided which ones would be the most effective. Taking certain factors into account, such as; user base, privacy, functionality and ease of use; we narrowed down our optimal resources. Websites such as Twitter, Facebook and Digg proved to be the best options for reaching a wider audience. Many of the social media tools available have a real time platform, which will therefore allow us to add new information as and when it happens. We were also instructed as to how we can give updates ‘on the go’ via our mobile phones.

In the afternoon we worked on creating our pilgrim stories. We split the visit into three stages:

Pre-visit

During the visit

Post-visit

Possibly the most important of these is the pre-visit stage. This is where we have to raise awareness and build a positive view of Pope Benedict XVI’s coming to the country. We discussed and developed a number of ideas, including; asking children from diocesan schools ‘If you had one question to ask the Pope, what would it be?’. We were given the contact details for various news outlets such as BBC, Sky News and ITN so that we can submit our stories directly through them. The final thing we were given was a list of preparatory tasks and useful resources to assist us as we begin to fulfil our role as Communications Officers.

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On Monday 5th July 2010, Lord Patten of Barnes, Prime Minister David Cameron's personal representative in charge of government preparations for the Papal Visit, and Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster addressed journalists at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to give an update on Pope Benedict's September itinerary (Tuesday 6th July):

Lord Patten said the coalition government was "honoured” and “strongly supportive" of the Holy Father’s visit highlighting areas in which the Church and State worked together:

“First of all, international development is one of the priorities of this government. DFID (the department for development and the reduction of poverty) and the government are international partners of the Catholic Church worldwide, dealing with poverty issues, education and health.

“Secondly, the government sees itself as a partner of all faith groups – including the Catholic Church – in building solid, more resilient communities, dealing with issues of solidarity and social justice.”

Lord Patten looked ahead with particular enthusiasm to the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman in Cofton Park, Birmingham:

“It’s splendid that we can welcome the Pope to celebrate the life of one of the great Englishmen of the nineteenth century. Certainly anyone involved with higher education in this country will recognise the extraordinary philosophical role he played in setting out the case for pluralism in education and the role of university.”

Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, talked about the historic nature of Pope Benedict’s visit:

“I think it will be seen in some of the iconic moments and images – the Pope standing side by side with the Queen, the Pope entering Lambeth Palace, the Pope speaking in Westminster Hall – where St Thomas More was condemned to death – the Pope going to Westminster Abbey and praying with the Archbishop of Canterbury at the tomb of St Edward the Confessor, monarch of this land.”

The Archbishop also spoke about a recent meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in Rome.

“He is really profoundly looking forward to these few days. He is enthusiastic but also very aware of the magnitude of this visit. He, so elegantly representing a long tradition of Catholic faith, is coming to engage in a modern world-leading city.”

Archbishop Nichols also offered an insight into Pope Benedict’s commitment to his ministry as the successor of St Peter:

“He is open to all aspects of our human endeavour. His last teaching document, Caritas in Veritate, addressed the financial crisis, education, issues of globalisation and the environment. He does all of these things speaking of the enduring values of Christianity, values that still underpin our society. He approaches this visit as an exercise of meeting, of dialogue and inviting consideration and response.”

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The Holy See has confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI is coming to the UK. And what's more, we are all being invited to take part by coming to the events. Cardinal Keith O'Brien confirmed this in the following statement (5th July):

In a statement released today, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, affirmed that "accepting the invitation of Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, and of the bishops' conferences of England and Wales, and of Scotland, His Holiness Benedict XVI will make an apostolic trip to the United Kingdom from 16th to 19th September."

The priest noted that the Pope will visit the queen "at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh," Scotland.

The Pontiff will also "preside at the celebration of the Eucharist in Bellahouston Park in Glasgow."

"In London he will meet representatives from the worlds of politics, culture and business in Westminster Hall," the statement continued.

It noted that the Holy Father will "participate at an ecumenical celebration in Westminster Abbey, and preside at a Eucharist celebration in Westminster Cathedral and at a prayer vigil in Hyde Park."

Father Lombardi concluded, "Finally, he will preside at the celebration of the rite of beatification of Venerable Cardinal John Henry Newman at Cofton Park, Birmingham."

The theme chosen for the Papal visit, "Heart Speaks Unto Heart," reflects the words of Cardinal Newman, and the hope that the hearts of many people will be impacted by the event.

Scotland

The Scottish bishops' conference just announced the choice of a logo for the Pope's daylong visit to their country, which has as its motto, "The Hope Which Never Disappoints Is Jesus Christ."

The conference president, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, said in a statement released Thursday, "I hope that as many people as possible will participate in the celebrations surrounding the visit to our country of Pope Benedict XVI."

He expressed the certitude that the Sept. 16 event "will be a day of great happiness and celebration in our country."

The cardinal noted that the day of the Pontiff's arrival is significant as it is the feast of St. Ninian, a 4th century Scottish saint "who was one of the first to bring the Gospel of Christ to our land."

He affirmed that "following his arrival at Edinburgh airport, that morning, the Pope will be driven to Holyrood Palace where he will be welcomed by Her Majesty the Queen."

The prelate noted that the Pontiff will then travel through the center of Edinburgh in the popemobile. He encouraged "as many people as possible" to "attend and line the Pope's route."

He also invited all Catholics, whether practicing or not, to attend the public Mass in Glasgow's Bellahouston Park.

"Apostolic visits provide a rare opportunity for us to strengthen our faith and to show it to others," Cardinal O'Brien stated. "As we commemorate the feast of St. Ninian who sowed the seeds of faith in our country, it is my hope that a new generation will be revitalized and strengthened in bearing witness to the message of the Gospels."

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Mgr Andrew Summersgill, organiser of the Papal Visit, has just given some updates about the location of the Beatification Mass for John Henry Cardinal Newman and answered a question about the firming-up of arrangements (29th June):

Q: One significant piece of news is that the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman will now take place in Birmingham at Cofton Park, rather than in Coventry. Can you explain why this decision was made? 

Mgr Andrew Summersgill: Yes, well the normal planning process for a Papal Visit is that there is an initial visit by the planners from the Vatican, and an initial programme is looked at, and the venues are looked at. We have been working on those proposals and that itinerary, and then there is always a second visit to look in more detail at the plans and to try and firm them up.

During the planning phase it became clear that it would be more appropriate to look at a venue that is much more closely associated with Cardinal Newman. The original intention had been to locate the beatification in a venue that had some experience of a Papal celebration - Coventry Airport. But as I say we came back to looking at a place that would be more explicitly connected with the ministry and with the life and the death of Cardinal Newman, and to try to weave that theme much, much more obviously and carefully into the day of the beatification. So Cofton was chosen because it is immediately adjacent to Rednal, which is the house were Cardinal Newman would go and spend some time, both to work and to have some peace and quiet. It is of course the site of his burial, and as I understand it, it would also be a place with which he personally was quite familiar, where he would have walked and visited while he was at Rednal. So it provides a really good opportunity to have Pope Benedict celebrating Cardinal Newman's beatification in a place that’s intimately connected with the Cardinal himself.

Q: And the reconnaissance party has been over from the Vatican. We usually see that ahead of the publication of the precise line-by-line itinerary, so we’re getting close to that now aren’t we?

Mgr AS: We are getting closer to that, yes, and during the visit there were some quite detailed meetings, as there would be for any visit of this sort, between the Foreign Office protocol people and representatives of the Holy See, carefully looking at the different arrangements. In terms of those arrangements where the Church is taking the lead, those arrangements where the Government is taking the lead, and all the different elements that go into making up visits like this. And it really was quite a thorough and careful examination of the plans for the whole Visit.

Is this a very significant milestone, that we are now so close to knowing exactly where Pope Benedict’s going to be and indeed when?

Mgr AS: I think it is, yes, because it's a time when things begin to become fixed in stone in a way that they haven't been up until now.

Source: thepapalvisit.org.uk 

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Changes to venues etc. (Tuesday 29th June):

In recent days there have been a lot of questions at a local level about just where the Pope will be going, how many will be allowed to come, and so on. Only recently, however, have the Vatican delegation finalised details. Those details will be issued in the next week or so.

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The Catholic Communications Network has issued the following release (Monday 28th June):

Go out and generate ‘joyful noise’ for the pope

Around thirty five 18-30 year olds will receive training in how to generate ‘joyful noise’ across the ‘digital continent’ in the run up to the Papal Visit to the UK this September.

The first of the training days in London last week saw young Catholics being given an insight into the ever evolving social media landscape and encouraged to embrace all the tools and apps available to profile the forthcoming visit of the Holy Father to England and Scotland.  The initiative is a collaboration between the CCN – the media arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, the Archdiocese of Liverpool and social media marketiers ‘Make Happy’.

It comes as a direct response to Pope Benedict XVI’s World Communications Day message last year:

“Brothers and Sisters, I ask you to introduce into the culture of this new environment of communications and information technology the values on which you have built your lives.

“It falls, in particular, to young people, who have an almost spontaneous affinity for the new means of communication, to take on the responsibility for the evangelization of this "digital continent". Be sure to announce the Gospel to your contemporaries with enthusiasm. You know their fears and their hopes, their aspirations and their disappointments: the greatest gift you can give to them is to share with them the "Good News" of a God who became man, who suffered, died and rose again to save all people.” 

The Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, the Right Reverend John Arnold commended the young people in their work:

“It is incredibly important work – it is an immense responsibility and privilege that you have of communicating the Gospel in the 21st century using all the digital means available.”

Guest speaker, Royal Television Society Presenter of the Year and practising Catholic Julie Etchingham, inspired the young trainees with a talk about the media and coverage of the Papal Visit. 

The London training day took place at the Bishops Conference last Thursday.  The Liverpool training day will take place on Friday 9 July 2010.

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Monsignor Andrew Summersgill, Co-ordinator of the Papal Visit, recently made the following comments (22nd June 2010):

Logo

We launched the logo on the booklet which has gone out which gives the background to the Papal Visit, and which I talked a little bit about last week. The logo takes the motto for the Visit which is ‘Heart speaks unto heart’. That was the motto that Cardinal Newman chose as his own motto when he became a Cardinal, and it's taken from the writings of St Francis de Sales who was a French bishop and a great spiritual writer with whom Cardinal Newman was very familiar. And in fact Cardinal Newman placed a painting of St Francis over the altar in his chapel in the Birmingham Oratory.  The logo has been designed by Brian Clarke who is an artist particularly in stained glass, and a lot of Brian’s works are to be found all over the world.  The logo is basically a candle which is surrounded by blue, by the phrase ‘Heart speaks unto heart’, and simply then the words ‘The Visit of Pope Benedict XVI, United Kingdom 2010’. And in choosing that as a logo I think that the bishops were hoping that the heart of the people of this country would be open to the heart of Pope Benedict, and that we would be able to listen to him, to see him, and to celebrate with him during the time that he is here.

The theme of Education

We are planning a gathering with schools to take place on the Friday morning of the Visit. And the Catholic Education Service, both in England and Wales and in Scotland, is now in touch with schools authorities in the dioceses to seek representatives from the dioceses to come to be with Pope Benedict. There are about 800,000 young people in Catholic schools throughout the country.  Now clearly they can't all be in the one place. So somewhere in the region of about 3,000 young people will be invited to come along to represent their schools and their fellow pupils and to celebrate education, and particularly Catholic education, with Pope Benedict when he is here.