Jim Murphy talks up papal visit to Scotland

Published on Wednesday 28 October 2009 21:20

A PAPAL visit to Scotland next year is now "probable", Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said yesterday.

Mr Murphy, a prominent Catholic, met Pope Benedict XVI in Rome on a visit with the head of the Scottish church Cardinal Keith O'Brien and discussed next year's proposed visit..

With an estimated 850,000 Catholics in Scotland, the meeting will provide Mr Murphy and Labour with a much-needed boost after attempts by the SNP to woo the religious vote away.

First Minister Alex Salmond has identified the Catholic vote as crucial for an SNP breakthrough in the west of Scotland.

Mr Murphy said: "I met the Pope in a packed St Peter's Square. We talked about international development, climate change and the proposed visit to Britain, including Scotland.

"It is, of course, for the Vatican to confirm but after (the] discussions, the prospects of the Pope visiting Scotland next year have gone from possible to probable.

"It is something I know that people throughout Britain, including Scots of all faiths, will welcome."

The prospect of a visit to Britain by the Pope emerged last month but there has been no formal confirmation yet.

It would be the first papal visit to the UK since John Paul II's tour in 1982.