Newman scholars wait for beatification ceremony
Scholars and biographers of Cardinal John Henry Newman have been gathering in Birmingham ahead of the Pope's visit.
Pope Benedict XVI is due to beatify the cardinal as part of a Mass in Cofton Park on Sunday, the final day of his four-day visit to the UK.
The visitors are also being taken for a private viewing of the Cardinal Newman display at Birmingham Museum.
The Pope is also due to visit the Oratory, which Cardinal Newman founded.
Councillor Alan Rudge, the council's Papal Visit leader, said the Pope's visit was an honour for the city.
"The Cardinal spent most of his life here and was a profound influence on the revival of Roman Catholicism in England.
"It is an historic and spiritual occasion for the city and these events will help us to learn more about Newman's life and works."
Other events to mark the cardinal's beatification include a performance of the Dream of Gerontius, composed by Sir Edward Elgar and with the text taken from a poem written by Cardinal Newman.