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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Pope to visit Britain in 2010 | Pope to visit Britain in 2010 |
| (21 minutes later) | |
| Pope Benedict XVI is to visit Britain in January 2010, the BBC has learned. | Pope Benedict XVI is to visit Britain in January 2010, the BBC has learned. |
| It will be the first papal visit to Britain since 1982, when Pope John Paul II's six-day tour drew huge crowds. | It will be the first papal visit to Britain since 1982, when Pope John Paul II's six-day tour drew huge crowds. |
| Masses were held in cities including Cardiff, London, Liverpool, Manchester and Edinburgh and he also met the Queen and Archbishop of Canterbury. | Masses were held in cities including Cardiff, London, Liverpool, Manchester and Edinburgh and he also met the Queen and Archbishop of Canterbury. |
| The news of Pope Benedict's visit comes after Gordon Brown extended a formal invitation to the Pope during a private audience in February. | |
| The Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales also sent him a formal invitation in 2007. | |
| The trip is set to be the first official state visit by a pontiff - John Paul II's visit in May 1982 was on a pastoral basis and did not follow an official invitation by the UK government. | |
| Downing Street refused to comment on Pope Benedict's visit, saying it was a matter for the Vatican. | Downing Street refused to comment on Pope Benedict's visit, saying it was a matter for the Vatican. |
| The BBC's Robert Piggott said Mr Brown, who comes from a staunch Protestant background, had met Pope Benedict three times. | |
| Our correspondent said the prime minister's invitation in February had been "warmly received" by the Vatican and was linked to the beatification of Cardinal Newman - England's most celebrated convert to Roman Catholicism. | |
| The pope is said to have a particular interest in Newman and to support his canonisation, he said. | |
| What is your reaction to the Pope's proposed visit to Britain? Will you go and see him? Send us your comments using the form below. | What is your reaction to the Pope's proposed visit to Britain? Will you go and see him? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |