The Papal Visit, five years on

It is already five years since the historic visit of Emeritus Pope Benedict to England and Scotland. Shortly after David Cameron won the 2010 General Election, he asked me if I would co-ordinate government support for this visit. I agree on three conditions to which he readily acceded.

First, I said that the Catholic hierarchy in England and Scotland should be happy about my appointment. Second, I argued that there should be a clear budget which I undertook not to exceed. Third, I made clear that if I were to do this job I did not want to have to work through a committee of Ministers. There had to be one political personality who would take decisions. In the event I dealt briefly with ministers where necessary and had one meeting to brief the Cabinet just before Pope Benedict arrived in Edinburgh.

Preparations on the government side for the visit were largely in the hands of an excellent team of civil servants who worked very successfully alongside the teams put together by the English and Scottish bishops. It was a particular pleasure for me to work with Cardinal – then Archbishop – Vincent Nichols who combines common sense and decisiveness. I also enjoyed working closely with our then Ambassador to the Holy See, Francis Campbell, which enriched my stock of anecdotes! We had to battle against a wall of scepticism with some at home appearing intent on confirming the view held in some parts of Rome that the Pope’s visit was bound to be a disaster because he was coming to a God-less group of islands surrounded by a sea of religious indifference.

How wrong they all were!

I don’t think the visit could have gone any better. There were several major reasons.

First, there was Pope Benedict himself – a shining combination of high intelligence, humility and great charm. The quality of his sermons and speeches had an intellectual nobility. Moreover, he warmed to the enthusiasm of the welcomes he received.

Second, the congregations themselves at the public masses and the prayer vigil in Hyde Park showed the extraordinary variety of the Catholic community in Britain. People of every age, every social background, every ethnicity, every colour came together to pray and worship. It was a testament to the vitality of a church which we keep on being told is tottering into the twilight.

Third, it was not only the Catholic Church which could take inspiration from the Pope’s presence in our country. It was plainly a shot of adrenalin for faith groups across the land. One of the most memorable moments for me – a Catholic married to an Anglican – was the evensong at Westminster Cathedral, with the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, proceeding down the aisle with the church resounding to that great hymn “The Church’s One Foundation”.

So much for cynicism! So much for gloom and doom about the future of Christianity in our country! The Good News came to Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Birmingham and our people cheered themselves hoarse.