WORLD
POPE BENEDICT IN LONDON
Baku, September 17 (AZERTAC). Thousands of people have gathered for the Pope`s first public engagement in England on day two of his state visit.
Catholic education, relations with the Church of England and the role of faith in the UK are set to be major themes.
Pope Benedict XVI is due to lead an assembly of children, make a speech at Westminster Hall and hold joint prayers with the Archbishop of Canterbury.
On Thursday the Pope celebrated open-air Mass in Bellahouston Park, Glasgow, attended by about 70,000 people.
The second day of the Pope`s four-day visit will be heavy with symbolism.
Pope Benedict will lead a gathering of nearly 4,000 young people at St Mary`s University College, Twickenham, at an event called The Big Assembly.
Monks and nuns waited in long queues and were frisked by police amid a huge security operation, with veils and even crucifixes inspected.
The streets surrounding the event were lit up with the white robes of monks and colourful school uniforms.
A few dozen protesters against the Vatican`s record on gay rights, equality and birth control had gathered ahead of his arrival.