Pope Benedict to visit Britain

The BBC and Times Online are reporting that the Holy Father is to visit Britain next year, probably in the autumn. It would be wonderful if the visit were to coincide with the beatification of that greatest of converts from Anglicanism, John Henry Newman.
I imagine the wires will be buzzing from now on with many hopes and dreams and probably some unreal expectations; what we must do is to pray for Pope Benedict and for ourselves, and to ask for the grace to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

From today’s first reading at mass:

“But now for a brief moment favour has been shown by the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant, and to give us a secure hold within his holy place, that our God may brighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage.”