VISIT OF POPE BENEDICT XVI TO THE UNITED KINGDOM

That this House welcomes the decision by Pope Benedict XVI to visit the United Kingdom in 2010; congratulates the Prime Minister for inviting the Pontiff to the UK; recognises the value that the trip will bring to both the Catholic Church and the wider community, being only the second papal visit to the United Kingdom following the historic visit by John Paul II in 1982; pays tribute to the work being done by Pope Benedict XVI in promoting peace in the Middle East and highlighting the importance of Christian values; and looks forward to the Holy Father visiting the UK next year where he will receive an extremely warm welcome.