The Pope's Visit 2010: Westminster Abbey Evening Prayer

In the presence of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury. Commentator Edward Stourton is joined by Mgr. Mark Langham of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The Choir of Westminster Abbey is conducted by Organist and Master of the Choristers James O'Donnell. The organ is played by Sub-Organist Robert Quinney. Producer: Simon Vivian. The visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has been described by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as an "unprecedented opportunity to strengthen ties between the UK and the Holy See on global initiatives, and to emphasise the important role of faith in creating strong communities." This will be the only ecumenical service of the Papal Visit. The Pope will attend the Abbey service after meeting the Archbishop of Canterbury earlier at Lambeth Palace and giving an address to a gathering of political and civil society at Westminster Hall. The Archbishop of Canterbury; the Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr John Sentamu; and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols; together with church leaders from many denominations, will join His Holiness at the Abbey service. The Pope will be greeted at the Abbey's west gate by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, who will escort him to the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in the Nave, where His Holiness will pray for peace. During the Service of Evening Prayer the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury will each give an Address from the Sacrarium. They will both pray at the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor, His Grace for Church and State and His Holiness for Christian unity. They will give a joint Blessing from the High Altar. The Abbey will be full, with a congregation of more than 2000.