The Pope is set to stay in Wimbledon when he makes a record breaking visit to Britain later this year.
A spokesman at the Apostolic Nunciature in Wimbledon Village, home of the Pope Benedict XVI’s representative in Britain, said the pontiff was “very likely” to stay there when he visited the country in September.
The trip, which will include public appearances in England and Scotland, was announced today.
It will be the first state visit to Britain by a head of the Catholic Church. The last papal visit, in 1982, was in a less official pastoral capacity.
The Pope’s trip will include visits to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Birmingham. He is also set to speak at Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament.
The nunciature is the home of Archbishop Faustino Sainz Muñoz, who acts as the Pope’s ambassador to Britain. It was also used by Pope John Paul II during his visit almost 30 years ago.
A spokseman for Gordon Brown welcomed the news. He said: "The Prime Minister is obviously delighted at the prospect of a visit from Pope Benedict XVI to Britain. It would be a moving and momentous occasion for the whole country and he would undoubtedly receive the warmest of welcomes."
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