News that the Pope is set to stay in Wimbledon when he visits Britain later this year has been welcomed by the borough's Catholic community and police.

Pope Benedict XVI is expected to stay in the Apostolic Nunciature in Wimbledon Village, home of his representative in Britain, when he visits the country in September.

The trip will be the first state visit to Britain by a head of the Catholic Church. The last papal visit, in 1982, was in a less official pastoral capacity.

The Nunciature is the home of Archbishop Faustino Sainz Muñoz, who acts as the Pope’s ambassador to Britain. It was also used by Pope John Paul II during his visit almost 30 years ago.

Father Francis Reid of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Links Road, Tooting, said: “I think it’s great. It’s something very exciting for the Catholic community here.”

Fr Reid took part in a huge mass at Wembley Stadium during Pope John Paul II’s visit. He said the presence of the pontiff was welcomed by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. He said: “It helped people reconnect with the faith, and helped people who weren’t connected in the first place.”

A large police operation is expected to deal with crowds flocking to see the Pope’s residence during the visit. Chief Superintendent Chris Bourlet, borough commander of Merton police, said: “It’s a great thing for the borough. The Met has got a lot of experience it will use to make sure his stay is successful.”

However, the Pope’s stay may also attract protestors after he attacked Britain’s equality laws in a recent speech. A campaign against his visit has been launched by the National Secular Society and is expected to attract support from gay rights groups, victims of clerical abuse, family planning organisations and pro-abortion activists.

A spokseman for Prime Minister Gordon Brown welcomed news of the trip. He said: "The Prime Minister is obviously delighted at the prospect of a visit from Pope Benedict XVI to Britain. It would be a moving and momentous occasion for the whole country and he would undoubtedly receive the warmest of welcomes."