Papal cup handed to Birmingham after Pope Visit

A CEREMONIAL chalice blessed by Pope Benedict XVI and used during his mass at Cofton Park has been officially presented to the city of Birmingham.

The ornate cup, one of a set used during the celebration attended by more than 50,000 pilgrims in September is a gift from the Roman Catholic Church.

City equalities chief Alan Rudge was presented with the chalice in recognition of his assistance in organising the landmark visit on behalf of the city council.

The presentation was made by the Roman Catholic Church of England and Wales.

Coun Rudge (Con, Sutton Vesey) said; “The Cofton Park service and the Beatification of Cardinal Newman, was a momentous event in the history of this city.

“More than 1.2 billion people around the world saw television pictures of the service beamed from 

Birmingham.

“I was delighted to have been presented with the Papal Cup by the Catholic Church in recognition of the warm welcome Pope Benedict received from the city.

“It is part of a set. Some are kept at the Vatican and some by St Chad’s Cathedral, and it is quite rare for a city to be presented with one.

“Everyone in Birmingham should be proud that the Church recognised the welcome this city gave to Pope Benedict XVI.” 

The chalice will be given pride of place alongside the civic memorabilia in a display cabinet outside the Lord Mayor’s Parlour in the Council House.

It will eventually be passed on to the Museum and Art Gallery to be displayed as a special piece of Birmingham history alongside an exhibition devoted to the Papal visit.

SIC: BM/UK