BRISTOL Catholics packed Clifton Cathedral to play their part in the Pope's visit to the UK.

Pope Benedict XVI may not be stopping off in Bristol during his four-day trip but he will bless a statue from Wales, which was at the city's Catholic cathedral last night.

Clifton Cathedral was packed for the three-hour service, which centred around the statue of Our Lady of the Taper, that will be taken to meet the Pope today.

The representation of the Virgin stopped off at the cathedral for the prayer vigil and a mass this morning en route to Westminster Cathedral from Cardigan in Wales, where she usually stands in Menevia Cathedral.

More than 3,500 people from Bristol and the rest of the Clifton Diocese area will also attend the official vigils that are being held in London and Birmingham during the visit.

Members of the church held lighted candles during the service led by Bishop Declan Lang.

A montage of large photographs of the Pope was fixed to the wall above the gathering as they sang hymns, said prayers and watched African dancers.

Young people wearing blue sweatshirts were blessed by Bishop Lang ahead of their pilgrimage to see the leader of their church.

Among them is 20-year-old swimming teacher Alice O'Neill, of Westbury-on-Trym, who will get the chance to stand next to the pope during his visit to Hyde Park on Saturday.

The head altar server for Sunday 9.30am mass said: "It feels unbelievable. I am really excited.

"It is not just about meeting the man himself, who is the head of our church as such, but I am hoping for inspiration and guidance.

"At a time in our lives where everything is changing it is even more important for us to cleave to our faith. It will be a great experience and a chance to meet other young Catholics."

Peter Inganni, 22, of Weston-super-Mare, a server in the parish church of Our Lady of Lourdes in the town, said: "It is an experience that I probably will not forget. I think it will be great."

Father Michael McAndrew, the former parish priest of St Francis at Nailsea, has led preparations for Catholics from the Clifton Diocese to attend the various stages of the Pope's visit.

Father McAndrew said: "Everything that happens, there will be someone from our region there. When he meets the Queen at Holyrood, someone will be there.

"All sorts of things are happening for them. There is the vigil at Hyde Park on Saturday evening and the Pope will come out and greet them."

Father McAndrew, who will be attending Westminster Hall for the Pope's address tomorrow, said that people in the UK might change their opinion of Pope Benedict XVI when they hear him speaking.

He said: "When he is here, speaking, I think people will see that he is quite different to what they thought.

"I think Westminster Hall is going to be a historic event.

"St Thomas More was committed to death there at that very place. The Pope is going to speak of the need to get over the past and move forward.

"I think that even 50 years ago that would have been unthinkable and that is about the great British people."

A young Eucharistic Minister from Bristol will be among 2,500 teenagers at a service with the Pope.

Rebecca Bradley, 19, attended The Red Maid School in Westbury- on-Trym.

After leaving she worked in an orphanage in Thembisa, South Africa, then spent three months in an Albanian school run by The Salvatorian Sisters.

Next week, she will start Theology and Religious studies at Roehampton University, Richmond, and aims to be a teacher.

She is a Eucharistic Minister at St Patrick's Church.

She said: "I feel honoured to represent the youth of the parish. Seeing the Pope in England will, I feel, be a very joyful occasion."