Pope Benedict XVI visited England and Scotland on a four-day Papal state visit from 16 - 19 September 2010. He flew firstly to Scotland where he was received by Her Majesty The Queen. Later he celebrated a public Mass at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow. In England, amongst other things, Benedict XVI made a speech to British civil society at Westminster Hall, met with the leaders of other Christian traditions, took part in a service of Evening Prayer with the Archbishop of Canterbury, led a prayer vigil, met with leaders and people of other faiths and beatified the nineteenth century theologian and educationalist Blessed John Henry Newman. These podcasts are a collection of speeches, homilies and other addresses from the historic state Papal Visit.

Benedict XVI in the UK: The Speeches

The Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, makes the humble request that Pope Benedict XVI beatifies Cardinal John Henry Newman to make him a 'Blessed'.

"It is right and fitting that we should recognise the holiness of a confessor, a son of this nation who, while not called to shed his blood for the Lord, bore eloquent witness to him in the course of a life devoted to the priestly ministry."

Recorded in Cofton Park, Birmingham, on Sunday 19 September 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI declares John Henry Newman "Blessed"

Pope Benedict XVI led a moving vigil of prayer and Benediction in London's Hyde Park with over 80,000 pilgrims in attendance.

The media at the time described it as "Glastonbury with God".

"Without the life of prayer, without the interior transformation which takes place through the grace of the sacraments, we cannot, in Newman’s words, 'radiate Christ'; we become just another 'clashing cymbal' (1 Cor 13:1) in a world filled with growing noise and confusion, filled with false paths leading only to heartbreak and illusion."

Recorded on Saturday, 18 September 2010.

Pope Benedict addresses 80,000 pilgrims at a vigil in Hyde Park

As an 83-year-old man at the time of his visit to the UK in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI clearly felt a particular affinity with the residents of St Peter's in Vauxhall. He visited the residential home ahead of an evening vigil in London's Hyde Park.

"Every generation can learn from the experience and wisdom of the generation that preceded it. Indeed the provision of care for the elderly should be considered not so much an act of generosity as the repayment of a debt of gratitude."

Recorded on Saturday, 18 September 2010.

Pope Benedict addresses the elderly at St Peter's Residence in Vauxhall

Despite not physically visiting the wonderful country of Wales as his predecessor John Paul II had in 1982, the country and her people were clearly close to Benedict XVI's heart.

"Through the ages the Welsh people have been distinguished for their devotion to the Mother of God; this is evidenced by the innumerable places in Wales called “Llanfair” – Mary’s Church."

Recorded on Saturday, 18 September 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI greets the people of Wales

Bishop Edwin Regan, then Bishop of Wrexham and a fluent Welsh speaker, welcomed Pope Benedict XVI on behalf of the faithful of Wales. He spoke in both his mother tongue and in English.

"On behalf of the Catholics of Wales, and of Wales itself, I am immensely privileged to offer you our most sincere sentiments of loving respect and deep appreciation of all that you do for the building of God’s Kingdom on earth."

"Dad Sanctaidd, ar ran Catholigion Cymru, a Chymru ei hun, mae hi’n fraint arbennig iawn i mi allu cyflwyno i chi ein teimladau diffuant o barch cariadus, a gwerthfawrogiad dwys o’r hyn rydych chi’n ei gyflawni i adeiladu teyrnas Dduw ar y ddaear."

Recorded on Saturday, 18 September 2010.

Bishop Regan greets Benedict XVI on behalf of the people of Wales

In his message to 2,500 young people gathered in piazza in front of Westminster Cathedral, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged the young Catholics of England, Wales and Scotland to consider their definite purpose.

"I ask each of you first and foremost to look into your own heart, think of all the love that your heart was made to receive, and also love it is meant to give, after all we were made for love."

Recorded on Saturday, 18 September 2010.

Benedict XVI greets the youth of England, Wales and Scotland

The young east Londoner who represented young people at a gathering in the piazza outside Westminster Cathedral in 2010 is a priest today. In his address, the now 'Father' Paschal Uche welcomed Pope Benedict XVI and thanked him for visiting the UK and for inspiring the "saints of the third millennium".

Recorded on Saturday, 18 September 2010.

Brentwood's Paschal Uche represents young people and greets Pope Benedict XVI

Benedict XVI's homily in Westminster Cathedral centres on the sacrifice of the Cross - the outpouring of Christ’s blood that is the source of the Church’s life.

Pope Benedict XVI also speaks of the need to share God's Word:

"One of the greatest challenges facing us today is how to speak convincingly of the wisdom and liberating power of God’s word to a world which all too often sees the Gospel as a constriction of human freedom, instead of the truth which liberates our minds and enlightens our efforts to live wisely and well."

Recorded on Saturday, 18 September 2010.

Pope Benedict's homily in Westminster Cathedral

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.

Pope Benedict and Archbishop of Canterbury speak at an Evensong service in Westminster Abbey

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.

Benedict XVI in Westminster Hall, Parliament

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.

Benedict XVI addresses the Archbishop of Canterbury

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.

Archbishop of Canterbury addresses Pope Benedict at Lambeth Palace

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.

Benedict XVI addresses representatives of other religions

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.

Dr Khaled Assam addresses Pope Benedict on behalf of the Muslim community

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.

Chief Rabbi addresses Pope Benedict XVI

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.

Pope Benedict XVI speaks to school pupils at the Big Assembly

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 predecessor John Paul II had celebrated Mass when he visited Scotland in 1982. 

Recorded on Thursday, 16 September 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI's homily at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow

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.

Pope Benedict XVI responds to HM The Queen's welcome

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.

The Queen welcomes Pope Benedict to the UK

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”.

Introducing 'Benedict XVI in the UK: The Speeches'

Audio from the Catholic Church in England and Wales. We mainly post our podcasts here but we also upload lectures, talks, homilies and interesting audio snippets.