Royal welcomeas Pope begins historic visit

He was formally greeted by the monarch in a ceremony full of pomp and pageantry in the shadow of Edinburgh’s Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The Queen and the Pope, both heads of state, shook hands for a few moments as the Pontiff began a four-day tour which will include Masses and meetings in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Birmingham.

The Pope looked relaxed as he stepped from a limousine which swept into the Palace’s courtyard in a motorcade.

Thousands of onlookers watched the cars speed through the streets of central Edinburgh for the meeting at the Queen’s official home in Scotland.

After the formal greeting, the Queen and Pope 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 Bodyguard for Scotland, the Royal Company of Archers.

The historic unit has been watching over monarchs since the 1820s and performs many ceremonial duties.

The men, dressed in green tunics and bonnets decorated with a single eagle feather and carrying longbows, gave the two heads of state a royal salute.

The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland played the Papal Anthem and the National Anthem as hundreds of guests invited to a Holyroodhouse garden party looked on. The Queen then led the way down from the dais and the Pope followed her to a group of waiting dignitaries.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond were among those presented to the Pontiff.

The Queen told the Pope and dignitaries: “Much has changed in the world nearly 30 years since Pope John Paul’s visit.

“In this country we deeply appreciate the involvement of the Holy See in the dramatic improvement in the situation in Northern Ireland.

“Elsewhere the fall of totalitarian regimes across Central and Eastern Europe has allowed greater freedom for hundreds of millions of people.

“The Holy See continues to have an important role in international issues, in supporting peace and development and in addressing common problems like poverty and climate change.”

Addressing the Pope, the Queen said religion had always been a crucial element in national identity and historical self-consciousness.

“This has made the relationship between the different faiths a fundamental factor in the necessary co-operation within and between nation states.

“It is, therefore, vital to encourage a greater mutual and respectful understanding.”

The Queen said she was pleased that the Papal visit provided an opportunity to “deepen the relationship” between the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of England and the Church of Scotland.

The Pope, in his address, praised Britain’s fight against the Nazis during the Second World War and said that today the country was a “force for good”.

He said: “Your forefathers’ respect for truth and justice, for mercy and charity, come to you from a faith that remains a mighty force for good in your kingdom, to the great benefit of Christians and non-Christians alike.”

After delivering their speeches, the Queen and the Pope joined the garden party and mingled with a few of the many guests invited to Holyroodhouse.

Religious leaders from many faiths were amongst those invited along with individuals from charities, good causes, non governmental organisations, academia and business.

Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh, chairman of the British Sikh Consultative Forum, had a brief chat with the Queen and Pope during their meeting.