A pharmacy student from the University greeted the Pope on behalf of the young Catholics of the United Kingdom, following his address at Westminster Abbey.

Student Paschal Uche described his meeting with Pope Benedict as “magical and special” after welcoming the Pontiff on behalf of the nation’s young Catholics.

The 21-year-old received a blessing following his welcome, during which he thanked the Pope for inspiring young Catholics across the country.

“Holy Father, for many of us before today you were a face on television or a picture in the church, but today we see you face to face,” he said, speaking for the assembled crowd of more than 2,500 young Catholics. “On behalf of the Catholic youth of this great nation I would like to express my profound and heartfelt gratitude for your visit.”

Paschal, who was chosen to address the Pope by the former priest of his home parish of St Francis in East London, then shook the Pope’s hand and received a blessing.

Paschal wrote his own speech, saying afterwards: “I tried my best to communicate what I think young people want to say to him and what I wanted to say to him.

“There were nerves, but at the Mass beforehand I went up to receive Communion and thought ‘What can I not do? If this is Christ that I’m receiving, what can I not do? I’m going to give it my best.’”

Last year, Paschal was Vice-President of the University’s Catholic Society, and took on a lay role when he returned to his studies this September. He also plays guitar for the Chaplaincy at Mass.

When asked how he juggles his commitment to his church activities with a demanding degree, Paschal brushes aside any suggestion of difficulty.

“University is a big opportunity – not just for study, but in other areas of your life,” he said. “You’ve got to make the best of it, and that’s what I’m doing.”