The Prince of Wales will travel to Rome next month to attend the Mass that will see Cardinal John Henry Newman made a saint. The canonisation of Cardinal Newman takes place on October 13th 2019.

Prince Charles will also attend a reception at the Pontifical Urban College in Rome on the same day. The college is where John Newman studied as he prepared to become a Catholic priest.

The prince’s attendance at the celebrations was welcomed by the Catholic Primate of England, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who said ”as one who has been a lifelong champion of the spiritual in everyday life, to promote understanding between faiths, and who has sought to alleviate poverty and disadvantage through his charitable work, The Prince of Wales is particularly qualified to mark the canonisation, which will be such a significant and joyful moment for this country”.

Cardinal Newman is the first British saint in 43 years, the last being St John Ogilvie who was canonised in 1976. The last English saints were the Forty Martyrs who were canonised in 1970.

The Prince of Wales has spent many years supporting strong inter faith relationships and encouraging dialogue between different faith groups.