London, England, Sep 18, 2010 / 19:15 pm
At a Saturday afternoon press conference Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi reflected on the progress of the papal visit. He said that Pope Benedict, as he expected, found a very positive attitude among the faithful despite the tone of pre-visit media coverage.
Meeting with international journalists in the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, the Vatican spokesman said that the Pope was "impressed" by the “richness” of the Friday evening liturgy during the ecumenical celebration at Westminster Abbey. Friday afternoon's events, he added, were a "central moment" of the trip.
During the working dinner held between Vatican and Anglican officials and members of the U.K. government on Friday evening, reported Fr. Lombardi, participants had the opportunity to talk about matters of common interest such as poverty, climate change and disarmament.
Discussions took place at round tables on these and other issues. Top members of the Vatican Secretariat of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, were present to weigh in on the "situation of the world today."