Help from above! Pope Francis asked to pray for ‘Brexit miracle’, reveals Tory MP

Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, told the house the Pontiff was asked if her “would pray for a miracle so that we can deliver Brexit.” Sir Amess explained how a cross-party group of MPs visited Rome to witness the canonisation of Cardinal Newman by Pope Francis. Speaking to the house, he joked: “This really is a broken Parliament, but I have some good news.

“I and one SNP member who happens to be in the chamber now and some Labour colleagues and some Conservative colleagues were all in Rome yesterday for the beatification of Cardinal Newman – canonisation of Cardinal Newman, the first for 50 years of an Englishman, and the House should know that we asked the Holy Father if he would pray for a miracle so that we can deliver Brexit.

“And when we asked him if the next canonisation would be a British MP, his eyes lifted up to heaven.

“But there are a number of us who are feeling slightly spiritual at a rather sombre occasion, which today has been thus far.”

But Scottish National Party MSP for Glasgow North, Patrick Grady, intervened in Mr Amess’ speech.

He added: “There was a great degree of cross-party consensus, but praying for a miracle to deliver Brexit was absolutely not part of the SNP’s contribution.”

But Sir David replied: “I hope that a miracle happens and Brexit is fixed and we do leave the EU on October 31.”

In front of tens of thousands of pilgrims at St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis elevated the English theologian to sainthood.

The Prince of Wales, who represented the UK at the ceremony, praised the legacy of the cardinal.

READ MORE: Prince Charles receives gift from the Pope in Rome 

Parliament has only sat on a Saturday on three occasions since the outbreak of World War 2.

And the enormity of the task ahead has got religious figures in the UK prepared to offer their spiritualism as the future of post-Brexit UK looks uncertain.

Meanwhile, back in the UK, a church in Horsham, West Sussex, has set up a Brexit Stress Chapel – where people can “pray for the nation”.

The chapel is said to include interactive prayer stations and a map of the UK which churchgoers can stick plasters onto.

The highlighted areas will help churchgoers ‘pray for healing’ in specific areas.

Rebecca Tuck said the chapel had received a ‘very positive’ response from the congregation.

She said: “People have said they find it really helpful.

“They’re all very keen to be praying especially at this time as difficult political decisions are being made.

“We’re there to pray for whatever needs there are, and I think this one is a big one.

“It’s praying for the big decisions that are being made.

source: express.co.uk