Cofton Park, Birmingham, ready for Pope's visit
The final touches were today being in Birmingham to plans for up to 70,000 people to watch Pope Benedict XVI say mass and beatify Cardinal John Henry Newman.
The final touches were today being in Birmingham to plans for up to 70,000 people to watch Pope Benedict XVI say mass and beatify Cardinal John Henry Newman.
A total of 1,200 coaches will bus the 65,000 pilgrims to the Cofton Park site, where up to 70,000 people will watch the mass tomorrow.
Around 2,000 police officers will be working on the day, with West Midlands Police cancelling all leave to ensure it has sufficient numbers to cope with the event and also continue its usual work across the region.
More than 20,000 well-wishers are also expected to line two miles of Hagley Road for a glimpse of the Pontiff following the Cofton Park mass.
A total of 1,000 choristers will sing during the mass which 300 priests will attend.
There are seats for 1,650 specially invited guests, with space for the 850 wheelchair users who are expected to attend.
Bosses at Birmingham City Council said the event will bring £12.5 million to the city economy. The council has spent £80,000 on organising the event - including the costs of implementing road closures and sending out letters to residents. The 6ft statue of Cardinal Newman to be blessed by the Pope on Sunday was being installed today.
Councillor Alan Rudge, leading on the event for Birmingham City Council said: "Everything is going positively. We are all ready raring to go. All we need now is no rain. Rain makes things operationally more difficult and, as there is going to be a large number of people, it would be better if it stays dry."
He added: "This visit will put Birmingham on the map. It will show what great parks we have and how we can showcase great things."
The Pope's Sunday timetable:
8am: Farewell to the Apostolic Nunciature, Wimbledon.
8.45am: Departure by helicopter from Wimbledon Park.
9.30am: Arrival at Cofton Park, Birmingham
10am: Celebration of mass for beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman.
1.10pm: Visit to Birmingham Oratory, arriving via Hagley Road in Popemobile.
1.45pm: Lunch then meeting with the Bishops of England, Scotland and Wales and the Papal Entourage at St Mary's College, Oscott.
6.15pm: Departure ceremony at Birmingham Airport.
6.45pm: Departure for Rome.
