Pope visit: Live coverage from Twickenham

Today the Pope visits St Mary's University College, in Twickenham, where he will meet 3,500 children from across the country at the Big Assembly, a celebration of Catholic education.

Christine Fleming and Joanna Kilvington are reporting live from the college from 9am. Stay tuned for minute-by-minute coverage of the historic visit.

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12.15pm

Thank you for joining us today. Check back for the latest news and pictures of the Pope's historic visit to Twickenham.

Send us your pictures or commentary by emailing gholt@london.newsquest.co.uk or via Twitter at twitter.com/richmondtimes

Don't miss next week's Richmond and Twickenham Times, which will include an eight-page supplement with full reports and pictures from the Papal visit.

12.02pm

The Pope is back in his Popemobile. He waves to the crowds through the glass as he speeds off to his next engagement.

He is scheduled to go to the Waldegrave drawing room, the oldest part of the university college.

There, he will meet a group of faith leaders.

He will then go on to Westminster where he will make his keynote speech.

11.58am

Pope Benedict XVI waves goodbye to the crowds and shakes the hands of many of the children and teachers who took part in the assembly.

As he steps down off the stage he kisses a young girl who runs up to meet him.

11.53am

The Pope promises to pray for youngsters if they will, in turn, pray for him.

His speech ends to applause and cheering.

He leads the gathering in the Lord's Prayer.

The pontiff remains standing for the final hymns of the Big Assembly.

11.51am

Ado_Smiffy posts on Twitter: "Is it ok to yawn in front of the Pope? Kids in Twickenham look like they can't wait to get off and back to computer games."

11.50am

The Pope says: "Happiness is something we all want, but one of the greatest tragedies in this world is that so many people never find it, because they look for it in the wrong places."

He says happiness can be found not in a career or money but only in God and criticises celebrity culture.

"The key to it is very simple. True happiness is to be found in God. We need to have the courage to place our deepest hopes in God alone, not in money, in a career, in worldly success, or in our relationships with others, but in God," he adds.

11.43am

The Pope addresses the crowd and says how glad he is to be at the college in Twickenham today.

He says it is "a pleasure" to inaugurate the university college's sports institute ahead of London's Olympics in 2012.

With his glasses on, he says he prays for all who come to this Sports Foundation named in honour of the former pontiff John Paul II to give glory to God through their sporting activities.

11.40am

Brian Kidd, former England and Manchester United footballer, joins the stage.

11.25am

Pupils from Holy Cross School in Plymouth take to the stage.

The school has a partnership with another in the Gambia, to help pupils learn about the arts, music and education.

One pupil, Emily Cook, tells the crowd: "We have discovered that we're not really different between our two schools. We do the same sorts of things."

Pupils in the Gambia - more than 3,000 miles away - are watching live on screen.

The crowd in London says a big hello and the Gambian youngsters send a joyful message back, thanking the British students for their support and for teaching them about their lives.

There's a funny moment when one Gambian schoolgirl welcomes "all the children from the United States... Kingdom".

11.10am

Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere speaks to the crowds gathered at the college.

He is followed on stage by 12 schoolchildren in uniform, reading in English and Welsh.

The Maria Fidelis gospel choir sings.

11.03am

The Pope arrives on stage almost an hour over-schedule.

The pontiff is welcomed to Twickenham by the head of the students' union as the Big Assembly gets under way.

The Pope is seated in a red throne for the ceremony, which is an official inauguration of the John Paul II Institute for Sport, an athletics complex in the college grounds.

It's named in honour of the Pope's predecessor, whose vision that sport and faith could work hand in hand.

11am

Finally the reward the children - many as young as five years old - have been waiting for as the Pope arrives.

There are screams, cheers and applause as the Popemobile arrives at the stage to trumpets blaring.

10.58am

The Popemobile, flanked by a dozen security guards, heads to the athletics stadium.

Excitement builds inside the grounds. The atmosphere is akin to that of a rock concert.

10.55am

The Pope climbs into the Popemobile to be taken to the stage. The vehicle can go no faster than 3mph on campus.

Speed ramps at the campus were removed so the Pope had a smooth journey.

10.53am

The service comes to an end with several hymns, as press photographers stand in front of the altar taking pictures of the Pope.

The Pope walks through the centre of the congregation and heads out to greet the schoolchildren who have been waiting hours to welcome him.

He is met by a rapturous welcome.

10.45am

He speaks of his appreciation for those people who provide a "safe environment" for children at school.

The Pope says long may this continue before inviting the congregation to stand and pray.

Children gathered on the running track outside also stand to pray.

10.40am

The Pope speaks to the congregation.

He pays tribute to the "outstanding contribution" of those who devote their lives to education and teaching.

Education is about "forming a human person" and to allow that person to "live life to the full". It is about "imparting wisdom", he tells those gathered.

10.35am

TheDailyGadFly says on Twitter: "Great scenes at St Mary's College, Twickenham. Lots of excitement at Pope's arrival."

10.30am

The service gets under way.

10.25am

The Pope will now take prayers with 300 invited guests in the chapel of the university college.

The children will be able to watch the service on the big screen.

On his way to the chapel the Pope kisses a five-year-old boy called Adam.

10.21am

The Pope arrives amid ecstatic scenes.

He is greeted by Arthur Naylor, the principal of St Mary's, who is set to retire soon. Dr Naylor said it was his opportunity to "go out on a high".

The Mayor and politicians are also there to shake his hand.

As the Pope's motorcade swept in protestors chanted "resign, resign" while well-wishers cshouted back "Viva Papa" and "Benedict, we love you".

10.18am

Theresa Mortlock, nine, who attends St Elizabeth’s Primary School, in Richmond, said she was shocked when she heard that she had been chosen to represent the school.

She said: “I couldn’t believe it, I was telling everyone. My nanny is a Catholic and is really excited.”

Children at St Mary’s have been practising their welcomes ahead of the Pope’s arrival. They are waving flags and cheering.

10.15am

The Pope is expected to arrive at the college imminently.

10.10am

There are now about 100 protesters gathered outside the college in Waldegrave Road.

Among them are three men in elaborate golden angel costumes wearing make-up and giant wings. Presumably they are there to protest the Pope's views on gay and lesbian rights.

10.08am

The excitement is growing among pupils awaiting the Pope's arrival on the college's running track.

Twenty pupils from St Benedict’s School in Ealing were picked in a raffle to attend the event at St Mary’s. They only learned that they would be able to be part of the historic visit last week.

The youngsters have been up since 6am to get to the college.

They were all given a bag containing a flag and a disposable camera – so that they could capture the day’s events.

Richard Johnson, 12, said: “I am really excited to be here. I am enjoying this much more than school.”

He said he felt very lucky to be part of the event as he would be the only person in his family, other than his mum, to see the Pope.

Teacher Gabrielle Hollis, who accompanied pupils, said: “We are all very excited. It is a great honour for us to be here. It is a great privilege.”

10am

The big screen has been switched on at St Mary's so youngsters can watch the Pope's prayers ahead of his arrival.

A hush descends on the crowd.

9.56am

The Pope leaves his Wimbledon base, dressed once again in white, to cheers from the crowd. He is finally on his way to Twickenham.

He is travelling in a regular car rather than the Popemobile. However, he is expected to transfer into the specially-adapted car when he reaches the smaller roads around Twickenham.

9.54am

The Pope emerges from his overnight base to ecstatic cheers from the crowd.

Well-wishers were waiting outside last night when the Pope appeared at the window and waved to them. They were back early this morning hoping to catch a glimpse of the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

9.50am

The Pope is expected to leave Wimbledon very shortly. Crowds gathered outside his base have been joyfully serenading him.

Last minute security checks are being carried out before the pontiff leaves. His motorcade is outside waiting for him to emerge from the Papal Nunciature in Parkside.

9.41am

Education Secretary Michael Gove, Business Secretary and Twickenham MP Vince Cable and Catholic education representatives will welcome the Pope to Twickenham in less than half an hour.

9.33am

Richmond Council leader Nick True tells our reporters of his delight at the visit.

He said: "It's a wonderful day for the borough. The sun is shining and rightly so, and there are thousands of Catholics in the borough who are all thrilled.

"Schoolchildren have come from all over the country and all in the name of seeking to do good.

"It's a good day and a great honour for Richmond that the Pope has made his first stop in England here."

9.30am

Events are under way at St Mary's University College.

Schoolchildren are practising their singing and dancing ahead of the Pope's arrival. The enthusiastic crowds are joining in and waving flags.

Thepapalvisit says on Twitter: "Here in Twickenham, the skies are blue, the sun is shining and there is great energy and excitement from the kids waiting for the Pope."

9.18am

It looks like the sun will be out for the Pope today. Twickenham is bathed in sunlight at the moment, but there is a light, chilly wind.

A few showers are expected later but temperatures look set to reach 17C.

JoeThorpe1963 says on Twitter: "The Pope has brought with him the Rome sunshine blue skies from Glasgow to Twickenham!"

9.12am

A growing band of protesters are gathering in Waldegrave Road outside St Mary's with banners against the Pope's views on contraception, faith, gay and lesbian rights and the handling of the child abuse scandal.

One banner says "Birth control is a human right" and another says "There is no God - get over it". Three protesters are dressed as golden angels.

9.10am

Pope Benedict XVI is preparing to leave Wimbledon in the next half an hour after a private prayer meeting.

9am:

Crowds of excited schoolchildren - 4,000 expected - are gathering at St Mary's ahead of the visit.

Security is very tight. Everyone entering the college has to go through security scanners to get into the invite-only event.

Organisers have handed out 4,000 bananas to youngsters in a "Pope goody bag", along with a foil blanket and CD.

Some of the children left to home to be at the event as early as 12.30am today.