Religious and political leaders welcomed the prospect of the first official papal visit to the UK, which is expected to be confirmed.
Downing Street said it was for the Vatican to announce Pope Benedict XVI's plans but indicated that Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who made the formal invitation in February, was "delighted".
Although British media speculation yesterday suggested that the Pope might also add an Irish leg to his visit, in particular going to Northern Ireland, Vatican sources last night ruled out this possibility. Vatican insiders point out that Benedict sees a visit to Northern Ireland as much too important to be “tagged on” to the UK trip but should rather constitute a pastoral visit in its own right, perhaps in 2012.
Catholics in England and Wales were said by their leader to be "filled with joy" at the news and the Archbishop of Canterbury said Anglicans would welcome the pontiff "with great warmth and joy".
But secular campaigners warned they would organise protests against his presence.
The visit would be the first papal trip to the UK since John Paul II's pastoral visit in 1982.
Although there remained no official confirmation, a Downing Street spokesman said: "The PM is obviously delighted at the prospect of a visit from Pope Benedict XVI to Britain. It would be a moving and momentous occasion for the whole country and he would undoubtedly receive the warmest of welcomes."
Mr Brown, who has a close relationship with the Pope having met him several times as part of his work on international development issues, extended him a formal invitation to visit during a private audience in February.
According to the reports, the trip is expected to take place in the autumn of 2010 and will have many of the trappings of a state visit.
The Pope is expected to meet the Queen - who is Supreme Governor of the Church of England - and may stay at Buckingham Palace. He will visit many parts of the UK, though it is unclear whether he will travel to Northern Ireland.
The Archbishop of Westminster and leader of Catholics in England and Wales, the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, said: "We are encouraged and pleased at the news which has emerged about the possible official visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the UK next year. We are glad the Holy Father is giving such consideration to the invitations he has received from Her Majesty's Government, which accord closely to the wishes and requests also expressed by the Bishops of England and Wales. The prospect of a visit by Pope Benedict fills us with joy."
PA