Crowds have cheered the Pope as he begins his stay in Wimbledon.

About 75 people gathered to try and glimpse Benedict XVI as he left the Apostolic Nunciature in Parkside this morning. The crowd included wellwishers in commemorative hoodies, and one woman holding a “we love the Pope” banner.

He eventually left the building at 9.50am in a blue BMW, after holding a private mass at the nunciature - where he will be staying for the next two nights.

Rebecca Emerson of Wandsworth Road, Clapham had taken time off work to see the pontiff. She said: “It’s amazing being able to see our shepherd. He brings great faith and hope to all Catholics in our country.”

Julia Nugent of Parkside was with a group of friends who said they were “glued to the television” watching the first part of the visit yesterday.

They had also welcomed the previous Pope to Wimbledon in 1982. Mrs Nugent said: “It’s not many people who’ve seen two popes.”

A group of about 15 students and young people from Barcelona were singing and playing musical instruments. They plan to follow the Pope through every stage of his London visit, and oppose any protestors against the trip - but no demonstrators were seen outside the nunciature this morning.

Devout Catholics waving Vatican flags were joined by dog walkers and curious passersby in the minutes leading up to the Pope’s departure.

The nunciature was protected by dozens of policemen, some carrying maching guns, while nearby Alfreton Close was shut off. The public was shepherded into an enclosure opposite the building, alongside photographers and television news crews.

The Pope arrived at the nunciature at about 10.30pm last night, after the spending the first day of his British visit in Scotland.