A CITY-CENTRE church in York will be open for confessions for 12 hours in a row next weekend, in response to a request from the Pope.

The Bishop of Middlesbrough, the Right Reverend Terence Patrick Drainey, has confirmed St Wilfrid’s Church in Duncombe Place will be one of three in his diocese which will have a rota of priests available to hear confessions between 7am and 7pm on Saturday, March 29.

Pope Francis asked every bishop in the world to ensure at least one church in their care remained open for 24 hours that day.

Bishop Drainey said: “I will be taking a turn with the priests of our diocese in making myself available to assist any who would like to take the next small step in their journey with Christ through this great sacrament of mercy, forgiveness and encouragement.”