I have not been able to properly follow up on the UK visit... Here are two recent items from the official site, which is still online:
Pope Benedict thanks bishops
for ‘fruitful’ UK visit
10/12/2010
The Holy Father says farewell to Archbishop Nichols at Birmingham airport, 9/19/10.
Pope Benedict XVI has sent a personal letter of thanks to Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference England and Wales, in which he describes his visit to the United Kingdom last month as "fruitful" and "such a success" saying that the visit afforded "unprecedented opportunities…to build new relationships and to strengthen existing ones, including with representatives of other religions."
Here is the full text of the letter:
To the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols
President of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of England and Wales
I am writing to thank you most sincerely for all that you and your brother bishops in England and Wales did to make my first official visit in the United Kingdom such a success.
Please extend my thanks to the civil and ecclesiastical authorities who worked so diligently to render my Visit to England so fruitful. I would ask in particular that you convey my affectionate greeting to the people of London who welcomed me so warmly.
I am very conscious of the significance of the events of those days and the unprecedented opportunities afforded me, both by Her Majesty’s Government and by the Church of England, to build new relationships and to strengthen existing ones, including with representatives of other religions.
It was particularly moving for me personally to preside at the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman.
Finally, I am grateful for Your Grace’s hospitality at Westminster and for the welcome afforded me by the faithful of London, especially the young people and the elderly.
Invoking the intercession of Saint George and Saint David, patrons of England and Wales, I willingly impart to you and to the bishops, clergy, religious and lay faithful in England and Wales my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of grace and peace.
From the Vatican
1 October 2010
Official papal visit book
is now available
10/11/10
The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster formally launched the Official Record of the State Visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the UK at a special Mass in Westminster Cathedral on the Feast Day of Blessed John Henry Newman, 9 October.
Before he gave the final blessing at the Mass of Thanksgiving for the Visit, Archbishop Nichols held up a copy of the book:
Benedict XVI and Blessed John Henry Newman, The State Visit - The Official Record.
The Archbishop, President of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, expressed his delight and gratitude. He said: "It is my great pleasure to present to you this Official Record of the Papal Visit. It is a very beautiful production.
"I am grateful to The Catholic Truth Society and to its author Mr Peter Jennings for the work that they have done at great speed but with great care, to produce a really outstanding Official Record of the visit of Pope Benedict."
Archbishop Vincent Nichols added: "I thank those who have produced the book and I commend it to you all as a worthy record of a most memorable Papal Visit."
Following Mass in the Cathedral, packed to capacity for the Saturday morning occasion, Archbishop Nichols visited the CTS Bookshop in the Piazza where he signed more than 200 copies of the book for customers in less than a hour. More than 5,000 copies of the first impression of the book have already been pre-ordered.
Earlier Archbishop Nichols had been presented with the first copy of the book by its editor Peter Jennings, at Archbishop’s House.
In Birmingham the following day, Sunday 10 October, Peter Jennings presented a copy of the book to the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham.
Archbishop Longley said: "This beautifully and skilfully produced Official Record of the Papal Visit will bring to mind the most vivid memories of a remarkable four days for the Catholic Church in Scotland, England and Wales.
"The series of thoughtful and insightful reflections will help us deepen our understanding of the lasting importance of Pope Benedict's Visit and Cardinal Newman's Beatification."
"I add my thanks and congratulations to everyone involved in preparing and publishing the Official Record so soon after the Holy Father's visit to us."
LinkCopies of the book may be ordered online. See the CTS website:
cts-online.org.uk