Secret papal Mass plans left in a pub

Secret plans detailing the Pope’s exact movements during the Mass at Cofton Park were left behind in a pub, it emerged this week.

The five-page document was found at Moorings bar and grill in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. It revealed where the Pope’s car would be parked, where he would be vesting, and the route he would take to the stage. It also showed exactly where VIPs would be sitting.

Jim Treherne, the manager of the bar, said: “If someone with malicious intent got their hands on these they’d be able to plan all sorts of trouble. It beggars belief that they were just left lying around.”

He said the document was left by two smartly dressed men who had lunch and a bottle of wine. It appeared to be drawn up for the events company WRG.

Mr Treherne locked it away, expecting the men to return, but has now handed it over to police.

The beatification Mass at Cofton Park will be attended by about 65,000 people, including 2,000 priests, 2,000 VIPs and a choir of 1,200.

It will be the first beatification ever on English soil and the first one by Pope Benedict XVI.