But Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Scotland’s leading Catholic, said the issues would not overshadow the pontiff’s four-day stay.
He insisted the Pope would refer to topical issues during what is the first state papal visit to the UK.
Pope Benedict XVI will not shy away from talking about controversial issues such as embryo research and assisted suicide during his official £15 million visit to Britain in September.
But Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Scotland’s leading Catholic, said the issues would not overshadow the pontiff’s four-day stay.
He insisted the Pope would refer to topical issues during what is the first state papal visit to the UK.