PQOTD: "Miracles are hard to come by in Britain."

Update: I've found confirmation of this report (in a roundabout way) and posted the results here.

Original Post: Today's papist quote of the day originated - allegedly - from Il Papa himself:

"Friction even seemed to emerge as the Pope and Prime Minister appeared in public for the cameras. Mr Blair, joined by his wife Cherie, presented Benedict with a framed set of three antique pictures of Cardinal Newman, who converted in 1845 after more than 20 years in the Church of England clergy and is now a candidate for sainthood.

Mrs Blair said: "I believe you are very familiar with him and he is on the journey to sainthood."

To which the Pope responded: "Yes, yes, although it is taking some time - miracles are hard to come by in Britain."

The source is a UK tabloid. I think a UK tabloid getting a story straight would be a minor miracle in itself.

ph/t: Amy.