Scottish Catholic Observer

ARCHBISHOP Mario Conti has also praised the work of the Papal visit planning team and in particular those who are working tirelessly to bring together the Papal Mass in Bellahouston Park. Parishes are now getting involved in friendly competition to see who can get the largest number of pilgrims along to the Mass on the day.

And information on how Glasgow City Council will manage traffic and services around Bellahouston Park in the build up to September 16 bodes well for the degree of care and organisation required for an event of this magnitude.

From the sublime to the ridiculous though, last minute mutterings about how the Pope should travel from Edinburgh to Glasgow—by train, according to one councillor and police adviser who sadly overlooked safety issues and the impact on commuters and pilgrims, and by helicopter according to one tabloid newspaper—are pointless and counterproductive at this stage.

For those who cannot make it to Edinburgh or Glasgow in person, thankfully—after concerns about industrial action—the BBC’s extensive plans for coverage of the forthcoming arrival of Pope Benedict includes close to 12-and-a-half hours of live programming between BBC1 and BBC2. Huw Edwards will be the BBC’s main television anchor, beginning his coverage when the Holy Father arrives in Edinburgh. In addition Radio 4, Radio 5 Live and other BBC TV, radio and online services will be contributing to the coverage. The BBC was expected to offer an olive branch to staff over pension scheme changes as a  ballot over industrial action that could affect coverage of the Pope’s visit closed as the SCO went to press.

As Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow said of the Papal visit in a recent interview: “Don’t miss it.”