by Catholic News Service
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VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican confirmed Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United Kingdom, where he will meet Queen Elizabeth II and beatify Cardinal John Henry Newman.
During his four-day visit Sept. 16-19, the pope will fly to Scotland to be welcomed by Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, in Edinburgh at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the queen's official residence in Scotland, the Vatican said in a written statement July 5. Prince Philip is the Duke of Edinburgh.
The pope will preside over an outdoor Mass in Bellahouston Park in Glasgow, Scotland. He will meet with political, cultural and business leaders in Westminster Hall in London. The pope will participate in an ecumenical celebration in Westminster Abbey and celebrate Mass in Westminster Cathedral as well as take part in a prayer vigil in London’s Hyde Park.
Pope Benedict will preside at the beatification ceremony of Cardinal John Henry Newman in Cofton Park, Birmingham. It will be the first beatification he has carried out as pope.
The Vatican will release further details of the pope's itinerary at a later date.
