Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh and president of the Catholic Bishops of Scotland, said he was thrilled about the visit and that, while the Pope would refer to issues such as embryo research and assisted suicide, these would not overshadow the event.
As reported in yesterday’s Herald, the Pope is to start his four-day trip in Scotland on September 16, where he will be received by the Queen at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh before travelling to Glasgow for an open-air Mass at Bellahouston Park.
First Minister Alex Salmond yesterday extended a warm welcome to the Pope after the visit was confirmed, saying: “The Scottish Government will be working with the Palace, the Catholic Church and UK Government to ensure the Pope’s visit is a successful and memorable event.”
