THE POPE is preparing to make a historic official visit to Britain. Sources at the Vatican have indicated that Benedict XVI is ready to accept an invitation from Gordon Brown to come to the UK. It would be the first state visit by a pope to Britain and could take place as soon as next year; September 2010 is considered the likeliest date.

Unlike John Paul II’s ground-breaking visit in 1982, which was “pastoral” and did not involve going to Downing Street or meeting the prime minister, the event would be a full state visit, with the pontiff addressing both houses of parliament at Westminster.

It would include the dramatic spectacle of the Pope addressing MPs and peers in Westminster Hall, where Sir Thomas More was condemned to death in 1535 for opposing the Act of Supremacy. The act made Henry VIII “supreme head” of the nascent Protestant religious group the Church of England, signalling a split from Rome. Benedict XVI would also meet the Queen on his visit.

The Holy See has yet officially to accept Brown’s invitation, which followed similar invitations by the former prime minister Tony Blair, who converted to Catholicism after leaving office. However, a report published in The Sunday Telegraph today claims he may do so as soon as next month. Last night Downing Street confirmed that the Vatican had given a “very warm” response to Brown’s invitation.

A No 10 spokesman said: “The prime minister is obviously very keen and has invited the Pope to visit all parts of the UK. The Pope’s spokesman at the Vatican was very positive about the possibility.”

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