By BBC STAFF - BBC NEWS
Added: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:18:14 UTC

Thanks to Ivan for the link

PM thanks the Pope for challenging Britain to "sit up and think" during his state visit

Thousands have witnessed the Pope's beatification of 19th Century churchman Cardinal John Henry Newman, before the pontiff's departure by air for Rome.

Pope Benedict told more than 50,000 people at a Mass in Birmingham's Cofton Park that they were celebrating the cardinal's "outstanding holiness".

Prime Minister David Cameron told the Pope shortly before he left that Britain "cherished faith".

The Pope replied the diversity of Britain was an "enriching challenge".

He had earlier urged bishops meeting at St Mary's College, Oscott, to "make reparation" for child abuse by priests.

The Pope flew out of Birmingham airport at the end of his four-day UK tour.

He was praised in a speech at the airport by David Cameron, who said the Pope had "offered a message to each and every one of us".
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TAGGED: POLITICS, POPE