Pope Benedict XVI - 'This event has taken over things in city'

THOSE who have spent the last few months planning the city's biggest event in recent times have unofficially referred to September 16, 2010 as "Pope Day".

Understandably, such a colloquialism never made it on to an official programme or poster, but it pretty much sums up how the papal visit has taken over things in the Capital - even before today.

Up to 700 police officers were lined-up to help handle the anticipated 100,000 spectators looking for a view of Pope Benedict XVI as he was driven from Holyroodhouse to Cardinal O'Brien's residence in Morningside.

This had a serious downside, of course - especially for those who were more interested in going about their daily business than in the first visit of a Pope in 28 years.

No journey today was likely to be easy, given the crowds, nor would the 46 temporary road closures and 233 parking restrictions help anyone get about town.

But then there's the upside of this all-consuming event - such as the cash brought into the city by visitors who preferred a view of the Pope on Edinburgh's streets rather than a lengthy wait for mass in Glasgow's Bellahouston Park.

Much has been made, too, of the impact of a possible global TV audience of one billion viewers.

One estimate put the total worth of the trip at 4 million, many times the cost of hosting the Pope.

Some will never be happy to see a Pope come here. Many more won't be bothered one way or another (traffic congestion aside).

But overall we should be glad of such high-profile visits. Haste ye back, Holy Father.

Dozy parkers

In recent weeks, we have reported on firefighters having their hoses slashed, being pelted with eggs and someone trying to steal their fire engine.

Our fire crews have it tough enough without so-called dozy parkers blocking their route to emergencies.

And it is not just firefighters who are affected. We all are, even if the consequences are not usually so potentially serious.

That is why we are inviting you to send us photos of appalling parking in Edinburgh - whether it is a car parked across two bays at the supermarket or worse - and we'll shame the motorists. Send your snaps marked "dozy parkers" to [email protected].