Scottish Cardinal welcomes news of Pope Benedict's visit

Following recent news reports of a visit by Pope Benedict XVI to the UK in 2010, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, President of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland has made the following statement;

“I am delighted at the prospect of a visit to Scotland by Pope Benedict XVI next year and wish to express the happiness of the Catholic community in Scotland at the news. The Scottish Bishops look forward to greeting the Holy Father in what would be the first State Visit to this country by a reigning pope. Pope John Paul II’s 1982 visit was a pastoral one organised by the Catholic Church, whereas the proposed visit by Pope Benedict XVI would be at the invitation of the British Government.”