Gordon Brown invites Pope Benedict XVI to visit UK during Vatican trip
Gordon Brown has invited Pope Benedict XVI to make the first papal visit to the UK for nearly 30 years.Daily Telegraph
By James Kirkup and Philip Wilan in Rome
Last Updated: 7:35PM GMT 19 Feb 2009
The Pope met Gordon Brown at The Vatican Photo: REUTERS
The Prime Minister made the offer during a visit to the Vatican on Thursday. Despite a Vatican spokesman saying there were no plans for a visit, Downing Street insisted a trip is now under active consideration.
Accompanied by his wife and children, Mr Brown flew to Rome on Thursday for his third meeting with the Pontiff.
After what the Vatican called a "cordial" meeting, Mr Brown told reporters in the Vatican City that he had made the offer of a visit and it had been well-received.
"He was very welcoming of the invitation," Mr Brown said. The Pope would be "warmly welcomed" in all parts of the UK, he said.
A Vatican spokesman initially appeared to cast doubt on any visit by the Pontiff to Britain.
"For the moment, no travel by Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom is scheduled or under consideration," Federico Lombardi, the spokesman, was quoted as saying.
Despite that response, Downing Street was unabashed, insisting that a papal visit remains a possibility either later this year or early in 2010.
"There isn't a date in the diary – we just made the invitation a few hours ago. But they are definitely looking at it," said a No 10 source.
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 5:15 PM
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