Papst Benedikt's Besuch in England immer wahrscheinlicher?

Offensichtlich beabsichtige Papst Benedikt nächstes Jahr Großbritannien zu besuchen, wie die Times Online vom 24. September meldete: "A central part of the visit is likely to be the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman, which could take place in Birmingham, where he founded his Oratory."[mehr....] Allerdings gebe es noch keine offizielle Bestätigung von beiden Seiten. "Although there was no official confirmation from Downing Street or the Holy See last night, senior government figures are confident that there will be an announcement soon.".

Nun scheint es bestätigt zu sein, wie die Times-Online 1. Oktovber 2009 schreibt: "POPE Benedict XVI is set to come to Oxford next year, with the historic visit timed to mark the beatification of the great Oxford churchman Cardinal John Henry Newman.. [...] And senior Catholics believe the Pope’s admiration for Newman means he will seek to visit places associated with the revered Catholic thinker, who had earlier been vicar of the Oxford University Church of St Mary the Virgin in the High Street.

Beatification is effectively the final rung on the ladder to sainthood. And while the beatification is expected to take place in Birmingham, where Newman founded his Oratory, the Pope may visit a number of places in Oxford where the charismatic churchman, lived and worked. [mehr....].