BBC outlines papal visit programmes

The BBC has confirmed plans to mark the first papal visit to the UK in 28 years with a documentary exploring the clerical abuse scandals surrounding Pope Benedict XVI.

To coincide with the Pope's historic trip to Britain between September 16 and 19, BBC Two will air 60-minute programme Benedict: Trials Of A Pope.

In the documentary, award-winning filmmaker Mark Dowd will travel from Pope Benedict XVI's homeland of Bavaria to the Vatican in an attempt to understand the clerical abuse scandals that have dogged his papacy.

The documentary will also include a rare interview with the Pope's brother Georg Ratzinger, who will discuss how the scandals have affected his sibling.

Dowd will further dissect how the UK Church has attempted to "fashion a positive message about Pope Benedict by training up an army of young religious spin doctors called Catholic Voices".

On September 19, the BBC will air the Beatification Ceremony of the 19th Century Cardinal John Henry Newman, which marks his penultimate step before attaining Sainthood.

Newman needs just one more miracle to be attributed to him before becoming England's first non-martyred Saint since the Reformation.

To mark the occasion, politician Anne Widdecombe will explore Newman's road to sainthood in 60-minute documentary Newman: The Reluctant Saint, which will be aired on BBC Two.

"Benedict: Trails Of A Pope and Newman: The Reluctant Saint are both fascinating and thought-provoking documentaries which will provide a unique insight and background to the papal visit," said BBC head of religion & ethics Aaqil Ahmed.

BBC Four will broadcast Vatican - The Hidden World, which will take a "behind-the-scenes look" at the workings of the Vatican itself.

The BBC will also run "full coverage" of the papal visit across its television and radio platforms, with further details to follow shortly.