Foreign Office apologises over papal visit memo gaffe

THE Foreign Office was forced to issue a public apology after an official document suggested Britain should mark the Pope’s visit this year by asking him to open an abortion clinic, bless a gay marriage and launch a range of Benedict-branded condoms.

The document, obtained by the Sunday Telegraph, also suggested Benedict XVI could show his hard line on the sensitive issue of child abuse allegations against Roman Catholic priests by “sacking dodgy bishops” and launching a helpline for abused children.

The ideas were included in a paper titled “The ideal visit would see...” which was distributed to officials in Whitehall and Downing Street preparing for the historic visit in September. A cover note said the paper stemmed from a brainstorming session and accepted that some of the ideas were “far-fetched”.