Pope Benedict XVI is considering an invitation to visit the UK from Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Mr Brown met the Pope in a private audience at the Vatican on Thursday to discuss the global economic crisis and “the duty to pursue initiatives benefiting the less developed countries”. During the meeting, Mr Brown also invited the Pope to visit the UK.

The Prime Minister said the visit would be welcomed by many millions of people and “would be a great moment for our whole country”.

The meeting, described by the Vatican as “cordial”, was Mr Brown’s first with the Pope since becoming Prime Minister.

The last papal visit to the UK was made by the late Pope John Paul II in 1982.

Spokesman for the Vatican, Frederico Lombardi, told the AFP news agency that the Pope was considering the invite.

"The Holy Father received the invitation from the British prime minister and he welcomed it with great attention,” he said.

"We have not yet accepted this invitation, which will be taken into serious consideration."