The Pope's itinerary
Pope Benedict XVI will visit England and Scotland during his four-day visit from September 16-19.
Thursday, September 16
SCOTLAND
On arrival the Pope will be received by Queen Elizabeth II and members of the royal family in the Palace of Holyrood House.
The Pontiff will then travel to Glasgow where he will celebrate an open-air Mass at Bellahouston Park.
Following this celebration, he will fly to London.
Friday, September 17
LONDON
Pope Benedict will travel to St Mary's University College, Twickenham, where he will pray with representatives of religious congregations - particularly those who have a charism for education and a history of education.
Afterwards he will meet 3,000 schoolchildren and students in a celebration of Catholic education.
Later that day, the Pope is scheduled to meet with the Archbishop of Canterbury to speak with him in the presence of the Catholic bishops of England and Wales, and Anglican diocesan bishops.
Finally, he will celebrate Evening Prayer with the Archbishop of Canterbury and Christian leaders at Westminster Abbey.
Saturday, September 18
LONDON
The Pope will celebrate Mass in Westminster Cathedral, from where he will greet the people of Wales.
Later, following a visit to those who cannot travel to see him at a home for older people, the Pope will attend an open air vigil of prayer.
Sunday, September 19
WEST MIDLANDS
What is certain to be the highlight of the visit, the final day focuses on the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman. Issues to be resolved will dictate the actual setting of the ceremony.
The visit concludes with a meeting with the bishops of England, Scotland and Wales in Oscott College before the Pontiff departs for Rome via Birmingham Airport.
Catholic peer to oversee visit
The Catholic peer, Lord Chris Patten was placed in overall charge of the papal visit earlier this month. Mr Patten, a Catholic, who is currently Oxford University's Chancellor was nominated by Prime Minister David Cameron. That nomination has been interpreted by some observers as an attempt to deal with the embarrassment caused by a leaked memo from the Foreign Office which made offensive suggestions as to possible activities for Pope Benedict during his trip.
Mr Patten is most famous for his involvement, as the last British Governor of Hong Kong, in the successful hand-over of the island to Chinese rule in 1997.
Talent star likely to sing for Pope
While negotiations are still underway, it appears likely that singing star Susan Boyle (right) will perform for Pope Benedict during the Scottish leg of his September trip.
The woman who became an overnight sensation for the power of her voice on the Britain's Got Talent has long been tipped to sing during the open air Mass to be celebrated by the Pontiff on September 16. A devout Catholic, Boyle's singing gift was first noted during her regular pilgrimage to Knock Shrine in Co. Mayo, but it was not until her 2009 television appearance that her talent was presented to, and acclaimed by, the wider world.
Church leaders in Britain are known to be in favour the participation of Boyle, describing her as ''a great asset'' to Scotland's welcoming of the Pope.
