The Pope ends his historic visit on high note

During Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Britain he met abuse victims and acknowledged how the affair "seriously undermines the moral credibility" of the Church.

In forthright comments, he has attacked what he sees as "aggressive secularism" and the "increasing marginalisation" of religion in society, and railed against the limitations of celebrity, secularism and science.

The Pontiff has attracted huge crowds, addressing more than 50,000 people in Cofton Park in Birmingham yesterday and 80,000 in London's Hyde Park on Saturday, and the trip has been seen by most Catholics as a great success.

Speaking just before leaving the country he said: "Thank you for the warmth of your welcome and for the hospitality that I have enjoyed.

"During my time with you, I have been able to meet representatives of the many communities, cultures, languages and religions that make up British society.

"The very diversity of modern Britain is a challenge to its Government and people, but it also represents a great opportunity to further intercultural and inter-religious dialogue for the enrichment of the entire community."

Prime Minister David Cameron described the state visit as "incredibly moving" and thanked the Pope for challenging Britain to "sit up and think".

Earlier, addressing Catholic bishops of England, Scotland and Wales at the Seminary Chapel in Oscott College, Sutton Coldfield, the Pope suggested the Catholic Church in Britain could share the lessons it has learned about child abuse with wider society.

He said: "A matter which has received much attention in recent months, and which seriously undermines the moral credibility of Church leaders, is the shameful abuse of children and young people by priests.

"Your growing awareness of the extent of child abuse in society, its devastating effects and the need to provide proper victim support should serve as an incentive to share the lessons you have learned with the wider community."

Earlier in his visit the Pope expressed his "deep sorrow and shame" after meeting five clerical sex abuse victims in a private meeting in London.

He began his final day of his visit at a special Mass to beatify Cardinal John Henry Newman, the first beatification he has carried out since he was elected Pope in 2005.

The German-born Pontiff, who was forced to join the Hitler Youth as a 14-year-old schoolboy, took the opportunity to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, saying: "For me as one who lived and suffered through the dark days of the Nazi regime in Germany, it is deeply moving to be here with you on this occasion, and to recall how many of your fellow citizens sacrificed their lives, courageously resisting the forces of that evil ideology."

One woman feeling ecstatic after the visit was Ese Ijasan, 30, from Manchester, whose 10-month-old daughter Aderonke was picked out from the crowd to be kissed by the Pope.

She said: "She was so excited, I guess the Pope saw the excitement in her. It is the biggest thing that has ever happened to me, ever."

David Paton, 44, a professor of economics at Nottingham University, was leading a group from the Nottingham parishes of Holy Spirit, St Anne's and Our Lady's Cotgrave near Nottingham.

He said: "I think he is obviously a shy and a quiet man but he has got a real way of reaching out to people, not just Catholics."

Nina Watson, 52, from Streatham, south London, an Anglican convert, said she had left in the early hours on board a parish coach from the capital.

She said: "He is so clear, and he talks about love and finding God."

Over the weekend six men arrested by counter-terrorism police probing a plot to attack the Pope were all released without charge.