Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United Kingdom from 16 to 19 September 2010 was the first state visit by a pope to the United Kingdom. The visit was in response to an invitation from the Queen Elizabeth II, with the beatification of Cardinal Newman as a “ pastoral highlight “. The pope was received in Edinburgh by Elizabeth II; by meeting her in Scotland the pope avoided greeting her in her religious capacity as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The visit included meeting with leaders of main political parties, First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond and David Cameron. Pope Benedict XVI began his official visit in Scotland at Edinburgh Airport, where he was greeted by Prince Philip and the Archbishops of Westminster and St Andrews and Edinburgh. He then met the Queen for the first time at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, the Queen's official residence in Scotland, with the ceremonial Guard of honour formed by the Royal Regiment of Scotland, the Royal Company of Archers and the High Constables of Holyroodhouse. After a reception in the gardens of the Palace he travelled through the streets of Edinburgh, preceded by a parade of school children and figures from Scotland's Christian history in honour of St Ninian of Galloway, who brought Christianity to Scotland from Rome in the fifth century.The Pope also met some victims of the paedhophile priests. During his trip the metropolitan police arrested five street cleaners in a suspect terrorist plot against the pope on the second day of his state visit; a sixth person was arrested later in the day at his home “ on suspicion of the commission, praeparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”.

September 2010 By Angelica T S