THE TELEGRAPH: Freedom of religion is at the heart of British society, the Queen said as she welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to Britain.Meeting the Pope for the first time at Holyroodhouse Palace, her official residence in Scotland, she praised the contribution of Christianity to world development.
The Queen also praised the contribution of the Roman Catholic Church in helping the poor, educating the young and bringing about peace in Northern Ireland.
Her comments echoed those made by Baroness Warsi, the Conservative party chairman, who said earlier this week that “faith is very much alive and kicking” in Britain.
The papal plane touched down at Edinburgh International Airport on Thursday morning and in a break with tradition the Pontiff was greeted by the Duke of Edinburgh.
The entourage swept onto the courtyard of Holyroodhouse Palace in limousines where the Queen and the Pope shook hands at the formal welcome.
The two heads of state stood shoulder to shoulder, with the Duke of Edinburgh behind them, on a small dais in front of a Guard of Honour formed of men from the Queen’s historic Bodyguard for Scotland, the Royal Company of Archers, who carry longbows and wear bonnets decorated with a single eagle feather.
The Papal Anthem and the National Anthem were played by the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, before the Queen introduced the Pope to a line of dignitaries including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams; the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg; and Alex Salmond, the First Minister of Scotland.
Peter Robinson, the First Minister of Northern Ireland, was not there although his name had been on an official list.
The Queen, the Pope and the Duke of Edinburgh exchanged gifts in the Morning Drawing Room.
Benedict was presented with a facsimile of 85 drawings by Hans Holbein the Younger, and then gave the Queen a copy of the Lorsch Gospels dating from 778 to 820. She thanked him and described the book as “lovely”. >>> Martin Beckford, Religious Affairs Correspondent in Edinburgh | Thursday, September 16, 2010
