First Papal visit to UK since 1982 confirmed

The Pontiff told the Catholic bishops of England and Wales in an address marking the end of their pilgrimage to Rome that he would be making his first apostolic visit to Britain.

No dates or schedule were given but his remarks come after it was widely reported last year that he will visit Britain this September.

The last Papal visit to Britain was in 1982, when Pope John Paul II visited England, Wales and Scotland.

In a speech to the bishops, the Pope, 82, spoke of the "living faith and devotion" among Catholics in England and Wales, highlighting the recent visit of the relics of St Therese and the forthcoming beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman.

"On the occasion of my forthcoming apostolic visit to Great Britain, I shall be able to witness that faith for myself and, as successor of Peter, to strengthen and confirm it," he told the bishops.

In the speech, published on the Vatican Radio website, the Pope offered his "warmest good wishes and prayers" for the bishops and all the faithful entrusted to their care.

He said that, even amid the pressures of a secular age, there were "many signs" of "living faith" and devotion among Catholics in both countries.

In an apparent reference to the Church's stance in areas such as gay adoption, the Pope urged the bishops to ensure that the Church's moral teaching should always be presented in its "entirety" and "convincingly defended".

He said: "Your country is well-known for its firm commitment to equality of opportunity for all members of society.

"Yet, as you have rightly pointed out, the effect of some of the legislation designed to achieve this goal has been to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs."