Catholics tonight expressed renewed hope that Pope Benedict XVI would visit Oxford, after he confirmed he would come to Britain later this year.

The Pontiff told the Catholic bishops of England and Wales that he would be making his first apostolic visit to the UK.

Although no dates or schedules were given, Pope Benedict XVI is expected to visit in September.

The news was greeted with excitement across the city, as Oxford has strong Papal links.

Cardinal John Henry Newman, who was mentioned in the Pope’s speech, lived and studied in the city in the early nineteenth century and acquired what is now Newman College in Littlemore when the village became part of his parish.

There is widespread speculation that during his visit the Pope will beatify Cardinal Newman.

Sister Mary Dechant, who lives at Newman College, said: “The people who live here in the village talk a lot about the Pope coming to Oxford.

“It’s very much in people’s minds and they are excited about the prospect.

“Many think he will come because Oxford and Littlemore was so important in John Henry Newman’s life.”

The last Papal visit to Britain was John Paul II’s visit in 1982, although he did not come to Oxford.

Catholic priest David Forrester, 75, a lecturer on John Henry Newman at Oxford University, said: “The Pope is a great student of Newman. Newman said Oxford was what made him a Catholic.

“It would be in keeping if the Pope came to Oxford because it was where Newman spent most of his young life.

“This is good news and Catholics are very excited.”

In October last year, thousands of people queued at the Oxford Oratory in Woodstock Road to see the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux, a 19th-century Catholic nun.

Father Daniel Seward, 35, of the Oxford Oratory, said: “If the Pope was to come to Oxford that would be one of the most important days in the history of the city.

“The Pope is more than an ordinary celebrity. He is God’s representative on earth and as such Catholics recognise him as speaking with unique authority.”

Peter Jennings, press secretary to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham, which includes Oxfordshire, said: “Many Roman Catholics would rejoice if Pope Benedict XVI visited places in Oxford connected with the life of John Henry Newman, in particular Trinity and Oriel colleges.”

Children from St Amand’s Primary School in East Hendred, near Wantage, were so inspired by the prospect of the Pope coming to Britain they wrote inviting him to visit their school.

Although the school has received a letter saying the Pope will not be visiting them, teacher Jan Page said: “Everyone at the school has been very excited about the prospect of the Pope coming to Oxford.”