David Cameron 'did not snub Pope Francis', says Baroness Warsi This is a senior delegation. Ken Clarke is one of the most senior ministers around the (Cabinet) table," she told The Daily Telegraph. When Benedict was inaugurated eight years ago, neither the prime minister or deputy prime minister attended. I can assure people that relations between the UK and the Holy See are as strong as they have ever been, in the wake of Pope Benedict's visit to Britain. The Prime Minister later said the Pope should "respect" the islanders' referendum vote for the Falklands to remain British.