Holy See–United Kingdom relations
Encyclopedia
Holy See – United Kingdom relations are foreign relations
between the Holy See
and the United Kingdom
.
and until the Protestant Reformation
in the 16th century, the Kingdom of England
was a Catholic kingdom with diplomatic relations with the Papal States
. In 1479 King Edward IV appointed John Sherwood as the first Resident Ambassador in the Papal States. Following the establishment of the Anglican Church by Henry VIII, diplomatic relations were broken in 1536. Relations were reestablished in 1553 under Queen Mary the Catholic, who appointed Sir Edward Carne
as her Ambassador. It was during the reign of Elizabeth I that diplomatic relations were broken again, and Sir Edward Carne
being recalled. Thereafter, English law prohibited any official relations with the Papal States. However, some random contacts were made between the two countries. In 1621, the English court despatched George Gage to the Papal court in order to obtain permission for the marriage of King Charles I
and the Spanish Infanta, a marriage that didn't take place eventually. However, Charles I married a French Catholic princess named Henrietta Maria, this with the blessing of Pope Gregory XV
, who used the opportunity to despatch as envoy to England Gregorio Panzani
. Panzani was followed as Papal envoy by the Scottish Dominican George Conn.
In 1686 King James II
despatched as envoy to the Papal States Earl Castlemaine and received Papal envoy Count Fernando D'Adda. However, relations were broken again following the Glorious Revolution
in 1688. The Papal States recognised James Francis Edward Stuart
as James III until his death in 1766, but not his son Charles
, subtly giving recognition to the reigning House of Hanover
. This helped start the reform of the anti-Catholic penal laws, such as the Quebec Act
and the Papists Act 1778
. Sir John Coxe Hippisley
's brief mission to Rome in 1779-1780 failed; he was to explore the possibility of restoring relations.
Unofficial relations were formed again during the French Revolution
, as both the English and the Papal courts were interested in coordinating policies against the spread of the revolution across Europe. In 1792 The English court despatched Sir John Coxe Hippisley
to Rome as envoy, a position he held until 1795. The Papal court despatched Monsignor Charles Erskine
to London as envoy, a position he held until 1801. Both countries found themselves at various times enemies of France during this period and therefore had a degree of commonality of interests, not least because of the Dechristianisation of France during the French Revolution
and the Roman Republic
of 1798-99.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
came into existence in 1801 with the union of the Kingdom of Ireland to Great Britain (which had been formed from the union of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England in 1707). With the Anglo Irish Treaty of 1921 all of Ireland became an independent dominion, however Northern Ireland exercised its right under the Anglo-Irish Treaty
to withdraw from the remainder of Ireland and maintain the union with Great Britain, thus creating the current state of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The Holy See is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church and recognized in international law as a sovereign entity with which diplomatic relations can be maintained. The Pastor Bonus
an apostolic constitution
, defines the Vaticans diplomatic relations with states as the Holy See.
Due to the continuity of the Holy See from early times it is possible to see that the various parts of the United Kingdom had relations with the Holy See prior to their incorporation within the Union (and in Ireland's case, following it - see Holy See – Ireland relations).
Following the Catholic Emancipation
Act of 1829, legal obstacles to relations with the Papal States were removed, but the British government still refrained from accrediting an envoy to Rome. However, British envoys to some Italian city states were also charged with conducting negotiations with the Papal court. During the Irish tenants'-rights Plan of Campaign
in the 1880s, the Papacy condemned the activities in the encyclical "Saepe Nos" (1888), even though most of the tenants were Catholics.
The United Kingdom did not re-establish relations until December 1914, following the outbreak of the First World War, as the British government was apprehensive about possible growing German and Austrian influence over Vatican policies. The first envoy selected for that purpose was Henry Howard
, a British Catholic himself. However, in order to make the impression this diplomatic mission was temporary in nature, it was titled "Special Mission to the Vatican". It was only in 1923 that the mission's title was changed to "His Majesty's Legation to the Holy See".
The problem of Northern Ireland
has been a major issue in British-Vatican relations, and during the 1970s the Holy See expressed its hopes for a speedy and just solution on the issue, as can be seen in the Papal message of Paul VI on June 1, 1974, calling on all armed factions to take part in peace talks:
as well as in the words of Paul VI to the British Minister Dugald Malcolm
upon presenting his credentials on June 19, 1975,:
The Holy See also supported the British efforts at bringing to an end the racial segregation policy in Rhodesia (present day Zimbabwe
), as can be seen in the words of John Paul II to the British Minister Mark Evelyn Heath
on May 22, 1980:
On October 17, 1980, the Pope sent a congratulatory message to Queen Elizabeth II, commending her for her activities for peace among nations, and for peace between Catholics and Anglicans.
John Paul II was also concerned with events in Poland
surrounding the struggle between the Communist government and Solidarity movement, and his hopes for action by the British government can be seen in his statement to the first full British Ambassador to the Holy See as he presented his credentials on April 1, 1982:
visited the UK. This led to the first ever UK – Holy See exchange of full Ambassadors in that year.
On September 9, 2011, Ambassador Nigel Marcus Baker presented his credentials to Pope Benedict XVI. In his speech, the British Ambassador presented three main goals of Vatican-UK relations, namely facing existential threats such as climate change and nuclear proliferation, promoting interfaith dialogue to achieve peace and working to reduce world poverty.
The UK Embassy to the Holy See is co-located with the UK Embassy to the Republic of Italy at Via XX Settembre in Rome. This follows the closing of the UK's Embassy to the Holy See's rented building in 2006 which led to protests from the Vatican "that senior Holy See officials cannot be expected to go to Villa Wolkonsky
", the UK Embassy to the Italian Republic.
The Holy See's Nunciature to Great Britain is the diplomatic post of the Holy See whose representative is called the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain with the rank of an ambassador. The office of the nunciature is located at 54 Parkside, Wimbledon Village, London.
first visited the Vatican (as Princess Elizabeth) during the pontificate of Pope Pius XII
.
Her second visit to the Vatican was a private visit (during a state visit to the Italian Republic) on May 5, 1962 when she was received by Pope John XXIII
.
She twice paid State Visits during the pontificate of John Paul II – firstly in 1980 and then in 2000.
Pope Benedict XVI became the first Pope to make an official Papal Visit to the United Kingdom on the 16th of September 2010, this was accorded the same status as a state visit. In a break with normal arrangements for state visits he arrived in Edinburgh
rather than London
and was granted an audience of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at her official residence in Scotland the Palace of Holyrood House. On the evening of the same day he celebrated only the second Papal Mass ever held in Scotland at Bellahouston Park
in Glasgow
, with over 250 000 Scottish Catholics participating in the celebration. The first Papal Mass in Scotland was celebrated by his predecessor Pope John Paul II
at Bellahouston Park
, Glasgow
, during his Pastoral Visit in 1982.
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
between the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
History
During the Middle AgesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
and until the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
in the 16th century, the Kingdom of England
Kingdom of England
The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England...
was a Catholic kingdom with diplomatic relations with the Papal States
Papal States
The Papal State, State of the Church, or Pontifical States were among the major historical states of Italy from roughly the 6th century until the Italian peninsula was unified in 1861 by the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia .The Papal States comprised territories under...
. In 1479 King Edward IV appointed John Sherwood as the first Resident Ambassador in the Papal States. Following the establishment of the Anglican Church by Henry VIII, diplomatic relations were broken in 1536. Relations were reestablished in 1553 under Queen Mary the Catholic, who appointed Sir Edward Carne
Sir Edward Carne
Sir Edward Carne was a Welsh Renaissance scholar, diplomat and English Member of Parliament.-Life history:Carne was born around 1500 to Howell Carne of Cowbridge in Glamorgan, and his wife Cicily, the daughter of William Kemys. Carne was descended from Thomas Le Carne, who was the second son of...
as her Ambassador. It was during the reign of Elizabeth I that diplomatic relations were broken again, and Sir Edward Carne
Sir Edward Carne
Sir Edward Carne was a Welsh Renaissance scholar, diplomat and English Member of Parliament.-Life history:Carne was born around 1500 to Howell Carne of Cowbridge in Glamorgan, and his wife Cicily, the daughter of William Kemys. Carne was descended from Thomas Le Carne, who was the second son of...
being recalled. Thereafter, English law prohibited any official relations with the Papal States. However, some random contacts were made between the two countries. In 1621, the English court despatched George Gage to the Papal court in order to obtain permission for the marriage of King Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
and the Spanish Infanta, a marriage that didn't take place eventually. However, Charles I married a French Catholic princess named Henrietta Maria, this with the blessing of Pope Gregory XV
Pope Gregory XV
Pope Gregory XV , born Alessandro Ludovisi, was pope from 1621, succeeding Paul V on 9 February 1621...
, who used the opportunity to despatch as envoy to England Gregorio Panzani
Gregorio Panzani
Gregorio Panzani was an Italian Catholic priest, who became Bishop of Mileto and a papal emissary to England during the reign of King Charles I of England....
. Panzani was followed as Papal envoy by the Scottish Dominican George Conn.
In 1686 King James II
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
despatched as envoy to the Papal States Earl Castlemaine and received Papal envoy Count Fernando D'Adda. However, relations were broken again following the Glorious Revolution
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, is the overthrow of King James II of England by a union of English Parliamentarians with the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau...
in 1688. The Papal States recognised James Francis Edward Stuart
James Francis Edward Stuart
James Francis Edward, Prince of Wales was the son of the deposed James II of England...
as James III until his death in 1766, but not his son Charles
Charles Edward Stuart
Prince Charles Edward Louis John Casimir Sylvester Severino Maria Stuart commonly known as Bonnie Prince Charlie or The Young Pretender was the second Jacobite pretender to the thrones of Great Britain , and Ireland...
, subtly giving recognition to the reigning House of Hanover
House of Hanover
The House of Hanover is a deposed German royal dynasty which has ruled the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg , the Kingdom of Hanover, the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
. This helped start the reform of the anti-Catholic penal laws, such as the Quebec Act
Quebec Act
The Quebec Act of 1774 was an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain setting procedures of governance in the Province of Quebec...
and the Papists Act 1778
Papists Act 1778
The Papists Act 1778 is an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain and was the first Act for Catholic Relief. Later in 1778 It was also enacted by the Irish parliament....
. Sir John Coxe Hippisley
John Coxe Hippisley
Sir John Coxe Hippisley, 1st Baronet , was a British diplomat and politician who pursued an ‘unflagging, though wholly unsuccessful, quest for office’ which led King George III of Great Britain to describe him as ‘that busy man’ and ‘the grand intriguer’.-Early life and overseas appointments:Born...
's brief mission to Rome in 1779-1780 failed; he was to explore the possibility of restoring relations.
Unofficial relations were formed again during the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, as both the English and the Papal courts were interested in coordinating policies against the spread of the revolution across Europe. In 1792 The English court despatched Sir John Coxe Hippisley
John Coxe Hippisley
Sir John Coxe Hippisley, 1st Baronet , was a British diplomat and politician who pursued an ‘unflagging, though wholly unsuccessful, quest for office’ which led King George III of Great Britain to describe him as ‘that busy man’ and ‘the grand intriguer’.-Early life and overseas appointments:Born...
to Rome as envoy, a position he held until 1795. The Papal court despatched Monsignor Charles Erskine
Charles Erskine
Charles Erskine was Lord Advocate, a Scottish judge, and a Member of Parliament.Charles Erskine was the third son of Sir Charles Erskine, Baronet, of Alva, by his spouse Christian, daughter of Sir James Dundas of Arniston...
to London as envoy, a position he held until 1801. Both countries found themselves at various times enemies of France during this period and therefore had a degree of commonality of interests, not least because of the Dechristianisation of France during the French Revolution
Dechristianisation of France during the French Revolution
The dechristianisation of France during the French Revolution is a conventional description of the results of a number of separate policies, conducted by various governments of France between the start of the French Revolution in 1789 and the Concordat of 1801, forming the basis of the later and...
and the Roman Republic
Roman Republic (18th century)
The Roman Republic was proclaimed on February 15, 1798 after Louis Alexandre Berthier, a general of Napoleon, had invaded the city of Rome on February 10....
of 1798-99.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
came into existence in 1801 with the union of the Kingdom of Ireland to Great Britain (which had been formed from the union of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England in 1707). With the Anglo Irish Treaty of 1921 all of Ireland became an independent dominion, however Northern Ireland exercised its right under the Anglo-Irish Treaty
Anglo-Irish Treaty
The Anglo-Irish Treaty , officially called the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty Between Great Britain and Ireland, was a treaty between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and representatives of the secessionist Irish Republic that concluded the Irish War of...
to withdraw from the remainder of Ireland and maintain the union with Great Britain, thus creating the current state of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The Holy See is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church and recognized in international law as a sovereign entity with which diplomatic relations can be maintained. The Pastor Bonus
Pastor Bonus
Pastor Bonus is an Apostolic Constitution promulgated by Pope John Paul II on 28 June 1988. It instituted a number of reforms in the process of running the central government of the Roman Catholic Church, as article 1 states "The Roman Curia is the complex of dicasteries and institutes which help...
an apostolic constitution
Apostolic constitution
An apostolic constitution is the highest level of decree issued by the Pope. The use of the term constitution comes from Latin constitutio, which referred to any important law issued by the Roman emperor, and is retained in church documents because of the inheritance that the canon law of the...
, defines the Vaticans diplomatic relations with states as the Holy See.
Due to the continuity of the Holy See from early times it is possible to see that the various parts of the United Kingdom had relations with the Holy See prior to their incorporation within the Union (and in Ireland's case, following it - see Holy See – Ireland relations).
Following the Catholic Emancipation
Catholic Emancipation
Catholic emancipation or Catholic relief was a process in Great Britain and Ireland in the late 18th century and early 19th century which involved reducing and removing many of the restrictions on Roman Catholics which had been introduced by the Act of Uniformity, the Test Acts and the penal laws...
Act of 1829, legal obstacles to relations with the Papal States were removed, but the British government still refrained from accrediting an envoy to Rome. However, British envoys to some Italian city states were also charged with conducting negotiations with the Papal court. During the Irish tenants'-rights Plan of Campaign
Plan of Campaign
The Plan of Campaign was a stratagem adopted in Ireland between 1886 and 1891, co-ordinated by Irish politicians for the benefit of tenant farmers, against mainly absentee and rack-rent landlords. It was launched to counter agricultural distress caused by the continual depression in prices of dairy...
in the 1880s, the Papacy condemned the activities in the encyclical "Saepe Nos" (1888), even though most of the tenants were Catholics.
The United Kingdom did not re-establish relations until December 1914, following the outbreak of the First World War, as the British government was apprehensive about possible growing German and Austrian influence over Vatican policies. The first envoy selected for that purpose was Henry Howard
Henry Howard
-Nobles and politicians:*Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey , English aristocrat and poet*Henry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton , son of the Earl of Surrey*Henry Howard, 2nd Earl of Norfolk *Henry Howard, 5th Earl of Suffolk...
, a British Catholic himself. However, in order to make the impression this diplomatic mission was temporary in nature, it was titled "Special Mission to the Vatican". It was only in 1923 that the mission's title was changed to "His Majesty's Legation to the Holy See".
The problem of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
has been a major issue in British-Vatican relations, and during the 1970s the Holy See expressed its hopes for a speedy and just solution on the issue, as can be seen in the Papal message of Paul VI on June 1, 1974, calling on all armed factions to take part in peace talks:
"We earnestly beg that all violence should cease, from whatever side it may come, for it is contrary to the law of God and to a Christian and civilized way of life; that, in response to the common Christian conscience and the voice of reason, a climate of mutual trust and dialogue be reestablished in justice and charity; that the real and deep-seated causes of social unrest - which are not to be reduced to differences of a religious nature - be identified and eliminated".
as well as in the words of Paul VI to the British Minister Dugald Malcolm
Dugald Malcolm
Captain Dugald Malcolm, CMG CVO TD , was a British diplomat, Her Britannic Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Holy See 1975-1977.Malcolm was born in 1917, and educated at Eton College and the University of Oxford...
upon presenting his credentials on June 19, 1975,:
"The difficulties you have mentioned which impede full understanding and cooperation in Northern Ireland are an anxious burden for us too. [- - -]
We bless the efforts of all those who are truly seeking a solution by means which are within the framework of God’s Law and for the benefit of all citizens without distinction".
The Holy See also supported the British efforts at bringing to an end the racial segregation policy in Rhodesia (present day Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
), as can be seen in the words of John Paul II to the British Minister Mark Evelyn Heath
Mark Evelyn Heath
Sir Mark Heath, KCVO CMG , a British diplomat, was Her Britannic Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Holy See 1980-1982, and the first Ambassador to the Holy See, 1982-1985....
on May 22, 1980:
The good auspices under which Zimbabwe has joined the independent nations of the world can be attributed to an initiative of the British Government that happily combined courage with patience. I pray God to grant that such positive results will continue to come from the same source.
On October 17, 1980, the Pope sent a congratulatory message to Queen Elizabeth II, commending her for her activities for peace among nations, and for peace between Catholics and Anglicans.
John Paul II was also concerned with events in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
surrounding the struggle between the Communist government and Solidarity movement, and his hopes for action by the British government can be seen in his statement to the first full British Ambassador to the Holy See as he presented his credentials on April 1, 1982:
I welcome the reference which you have made to recent events in Poland and your deep interest in the well-being of the Polish people. (- - -) Thus no country can fully enjoy its own freedom, knowing that in other countries the dignity of the human person is being violated.
Recent developments
Full relations were recognised in 1982 when Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
visited the UK. This led to the first ever UK – Holy See exchange of full Ambassadors in that year.
On September 9, 2011, Ambassador Nigel Marcus Baker presented his credentials to Pope Benedict XVI. In his speech, the British Ambassador presented three main goals of Vatican-UK relations, namely facing existential threats such as climate change and nuclear proliferation, promoting interfaith dialogue to achieve peace and working to reduce world poverty.
The UK Embassy to the Holy See is co-located with the UK Embassy to the Republic of Italy at Via XX Settembre in Rome. This follows the closing of the UK's Embassy to the Holy See's rented building in 2006 which led to protests from the Vatican "that senior Holy See officials cannot be expected to go to Villa Wolkonsky
Villa Wolkonsky
Villa Wolkonsky is the official residence of the British ambassador Italy in Rome....
", the UK Embassy to the Italian Republic.
The Holy See's Nunciature to Great Britain is the diplomatic post of the Holy See whose representative is called the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain with the rank of an ambassador. The office of the nunciature is located at 54 Parkside, Wimbledon Village, London.
State visits
Queen Elizabeth IIElizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
first visited the Vatican (as Princess Elizabeth) during the pontificate of Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
.
Her second visit to the Vatican was a private visit (during a state visit to the Italian Republic) on May 5, 1962 when she was received by Pope John XXIII
Pope John XXIII
-Papal election:Following the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958, Roncalli was elected Pope, to his great surprise. He had even arrived in the Vatican with a return train ticket to Venice. Many had considered Giovanni Battista Montini, Archbishop of Milan, a possible candidate, but, although archbishop...
.
She twice paid State Visits during the pontificate of John Paul II – firstly in 1980 and then in 2000.
Pope Benedict XVI became the first Pope to make an official Papal Visit to the United Kingdom on the 16th of September 2010, this was accorded the same status as a state visit. In a break with normal arrangements for state visits he arrived in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
rather than London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and was granted an audience of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at her official residence in Scotland the Palace of Holyrood House. On the evening of the same day he celebrated only the second Papal Mass ever held in Scotland at Bellahouston Park
Bellahouston Park
Bellahouston Park is a public park in the South Side of Glasgow, Scotland, between the areas of Mosspark, Craigton, Ibrox, and Dumbreck, covering an area of . It is based around Ibrox hill in the centre, with commanding views over most of the city, exceptions being views to the east that are...
in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, with over 250 000 Scottish Catholics participating in the celebration. The first Papal Mass in Scotland was celebrated by his predecessor Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
at Bellahouston Park
Bellahouston Park
Bellahouston Park is a public park in the South Side of Glasgow, Scotland, between the areas of Mosspark, Craigton, Ibrox, and Dumbreck, covering an area of . It is based around Ibrox hill in the centre, with commanding views over most of the city, exceptions being views to the east that are...
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, during his Pastoral Visit in 1982.
See also
- List of Ambassadors from the United Kingdom to the Holy See
- Foreign relations of the Holy SeeForeign relations of the Holy SeeThe Holy See—which must be clearly distinguished from the city-state of Vatican City—has long been recognised as a subject of international law and as an active participant in international relations...
- Roman Catholicism in ScotlandRoman Catholicism in ScotlandRoman Catholicism in Scotland , overseen by the Scottish Bishops' Conference, is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope, currently Pope Benedict XVI. After being firmly established in Scotland for a millennium, Catholicism was outlawed following...
- Roman Catholicism in IrelandRoman Catholicism in IrelandThe Catholic Church in Ireland is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, the Christian Church with full communion with the Pope, currently Benedict XVI...
- Roman Catholicism in the United Kingdom
- Roman Catholicism in England and Wales
Sources
- Thomas E. Hachey (ed.), Anglo-Vatican Reations 1914-1939: Confidential Annual Reports of the British Ministers to the Holy See (Boston, 1972)
External links
- Information on English-Papal relations, from website of the British Foreigh and Commonwealth Office
- "The UK, the Holy See, and diplomacy" Cardinal Hume Memorial Lecture 2010