BBC’s Papal Visit Coverage

2 September 2010

Details of the BBC’s coverage of this month’s historic papal visit have been published.

The BBC say they will be covering all the key events of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United Kingdom across TV, radio and online.

Huw Edwards will front the TV and Edward Stourton will lead the radio coverage.

To provide expert advice on the significance of each of the ceremonies, will be presenters and specialists, including Monsignor Mark Langham, who now works for the Vatican‘s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and was the former Administrator of Westminster Cathedral, Monsignor Rod Strange Rector of the Pontifical Beda College in Rome and the Anglican Bishop of Gibraltar, The Right Reverend Geoffrey Rowell.

BBC TV’s special live programmes will begin on BBC One on Thursday 16 September with the Pope’s arrival and official state greeting by Her Majesty The Queen in Edinburgh. This will be followed later in the day on BBC Two with a live broadcast of Pope Benedict’s first celebration of Mass in Bellahouston Park, Glasgow, with Sally Magnusson leading the commentary.

On Friday 17 September BBC Two and Radio 4 LW will broadcast live from Westminster Abbey where the Pope will join the Archbishop of Canterbury in a celebration of Evening Prayer. Huw Edwards will present for TV and Edward Stourton will be joined by Monsignor Mark Langham on Radio 4.  

BBC Two will broadcast papal Mass from Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 18 September, when Pope Benedict will celebrate Mass with the bishops of England and Wales and representatives from dioceses and organisations from across the country. Expert analysis for the Westminster Cathedral Mass will be provided by Monsignor Mark Langham.

Over 80,000 worshippers are expected at Cofton Park for the Mass of Beatification of John Henry Newman on Sunday 19 September. BBC Two will provide full coverage of the historic moment when the Holy Father will declare Cardinal John Henry Newman, ‘Blessed’. Radio 4’s ‘Sunday’ programme, and a special edition of ‘Sunday Worship’ will both be broadcast live from Cofton Park in the lead up to the main ceremony.

Aaqil Ahmed Commissioning Editor for Religion TV and Head of Religion and Ethics said: “This is the first papal visit to Britain for 28 years and the first ever state visit and is of great significance not only to the millions of Catholics in this country but to countless others who will be watching in the UK and around the globe. I am delighted that the BBC is bringing together a team of presenters and specialists who can provide insight into such an historic occasion.”

The BBC will also be covering other events during the papal visit on the BBC News Channel. 

We look forward to welcoming Pope Benedict who comes to help us, as a society, to see that faith in God is not so much a problem to be solved as a gift to be discovered afresh.

The papal visit begins for our diocese on the eve of the Holy Father’s historic visit to the United Kingdom.  A special evening of prayers will take place in the Cathedral led by Bishop Declan and Bishop Tom Burns of Menevia, we will join together and pray that the papal visit lights up the heart of our nation.  All are welcome to take part from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm on Wednesday 15 September.  You can find out much more about this unique celebration by listening to our 'Taper Tales' podcast series preseneted by Father Jason Jones, the ector of the National Shrine of Wales.

As we prepare to welcome Pope Benedict XVI we invite you to an evening with the man who’s presenting the BBC’s portrait of the Holy Father.  Award-winning TV documentary maker Mark Dowd will share with us how he’s grown in his understanding of the Holy Father’s vision for our world.  All are welcome to this free event as we look forward to welcoming the Bishop of Rome.  It takes place in Bath on Friday 10 September at 7.00 pm.

The official website thepapalvisit.org.uk is the best place to find out the most up-to-date information in the build up to the special time in the life of the Church in our countries.  It will also provide full coverage during the visit - a great place for you to follow the visit virtually if you are unable to be at any of the large public papal events.

Other ways to follow the papal visit online and have your say include Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.

Our series of podcasts introducing us to Cardinal John Henry Newman ran througout August on cliftondiocese.com.  We heard from local Newman scholars who’ll give us an insight into life of the man Pope Benedict XVI will beatify here in England.  All the episodes are still online:
The Life of Newman
The Life of Newman - The Discussion
Newman’s Importance Today
Newman’s Importance Today - The Discussion
Newman and Education
Newman and Education - The Discussion
Newman and Laity
Newman and Laity - The Discussion

As August came to a close it was time for us to focus clearly on the forthcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI.  Our podcast series takes you to the places where Cardinal John Henry Newman lived, preached, and where he’ll beatified by the Holy Father.  All episodes of 'In the Footsteps of Newman' are still online:
Maryvale
Oscott College
Newman's room
The Oratory
Cofton Park

Another of our podcast series saw Clifton Diocese Papal Visit Coordinator Father Michael McAndrew visiting local people preparing for the papal visit.  All episodes of 'Father Michael Meets' are still online:
Father Richard McKay
The Connors family
Hugh Greenhalf
Bernice Pascal
Oisin Hawes

You can also make your donation towards the visit at the official website.  It's simple, secure and direct.

Sign-up to the e-alert packed with the latest news about the Holy Father’s historic visit.

Our striking posters, displayed in all our parishes and many other places, welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom are available to all.  You can download your copy in the multimedia panel on the right and put them up to welcome the Holy Father and his historic visit.  You can also download posters promoting the events in Bath and the Cathedral.