Papal spokesman Father Lombardi SJ: Latest comments

Papal spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi reacts to the trip so far in an interview with Philippa Hitchen...

Q: Father Lombardi the mass in Westminster Cathedral this morning was really perhaps the highlight for the Catholic community on this visit so far, wasn't it?

A: Yes, also the Mass in Bellahouston was wonderful for Scotland really, but this morning was a highlight, a moment of particular importance. Also the scene of the Cathedral is impressive with the cross, the big cross in the centre from which the Pope drew inspiration for his speech. The Cathedral is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Christ and then in this sense also the Sacrifice of the Eucharist is really the centre of the significance of the Mass of this morning. The Pope has taken his inspiration exactly from these two points: the Cross and the Blood of Christ . But he also spoke of the witness that Catholics have to give , the laity in particular. He had a very important moment regarding the issue of sexual abuse stressing many concepts he has already expressed previously in different situations: deep sorrow for the victims of the crimes that have been done and the shame of the Church for these crimes, but also the engagement to renew the purification of the Church and of all the people that are active, in particular in the ministry with the young people. It is very important that we are really witnesses , credible witnesses of the love of Christ and that we receive the trust that the people have so as to avoid that such crimes happen anew.

Q: As you say very powerful words to the victims but also to all those engaged in the ministry with children. There's also great expectation here that he is meeting today with some victims of sexual abuse, what can you tell us about that?

A: I will say please be prepared, be attentive.I think that the Pope still has something to do and to say about this problem, but at the same time as he has already said on the plane and this morning.

Q: If you had to look forward perhaps to the vigil this evening in Hyde Park, it was clearly a moment of great joy with those young people gathered outside Westminster Cathedral - more of that to come this evening?

A: It is true. I found also the meeting of yersteday morning with the young people at St. Mary's University College, a very joyful moment of meeting with young people. Yesterday the Pope said "you have to be saints" , very clearly and simply, and this morning in the address of the young man to the Pope,he demonstrated that he has listened and understood "we will be saints", and the Pope this morning stress the love, the love as the inspiration, the significance of all what the young decide really, and have also to do in their lives. And then sainthood and love, I think, are already two very clear and simple messages that will give much enthousiasm to the young people, and we will continue this evening, and maybe also tomorrow.

Q: the Pope speaking very much from his heart to the hearts of young people here...

A: Yes, it is true. The motto of his visit, "Heart Unto Heart" is really at the centre also of the spirituality of the Pope, the profound spirituality of being in harmony with Christ - heart to heart with Christ and then heart to heart with the other- and in this sense I think Newman gives us a model and we will find tomorrow the apex, the highlight of the trip.

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