Pope request among most outlandish calls to consular staff

It has emerged the British embassy in Rome received a phone call earlier this year from one individual who wanted to visit the Vatican.

The unnamed caller also sought help to arrange their wedding and recommendations for a florist.

A light-hearted list of unusual correspondence received by UK personnel during 2018 was accompanied by the warning their main priority is responding to emergencies.

The Foreign Office said: “”In all seriousness, getting into trouble abroad can be daunting and upsetting.

“If you find yourself in an emergency in another country, contact the nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate and our consular staff will do everything they can to help.”

More than 330,000 calls were made by Britons who needed help while abroad during the first eleven months of the year.

They included 4,900 people who were arrested and more than 3,400 individuals admitted to hospital.

Among the more bizarre appeals for help was a man asking if Poland was home to vampires because he was due to go on a date with a woman who asked for his blood type.

In the United States, a caller asked which contestant had exited Strictly Come Dancing the night before.

The Foreign Office spokesman added: “I can regretfully confirm that the Foreign Office isn’t able to offer advice on…