Pontiff Completes 1st Day of UK Trip
EDINBURGH, Scotland: Benedict XVI landed at Edinburgh airport shortly before half past ten this morning amid a blustery and chill wind.
But the sun was also shining brightly and the Holy Father looked rested, at peace and happy as he came off the papal plane.
He was greeted by the Duke of Edinburgh, an unprecedented gesture signifying how much the Crown values this, the first state by a Pope. Also there to meet him were the primates of Scotland, England and Wales, Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien and Archbishop Vincent Nichols, and the government's coordinator of the visit, Lord Patten of Barnes.
Well-wishers lined the route of the Pope's motorcade as he was driven to Holyroodhouse Palace, the official Scottish Royal residence where the queen greeted him in the front courtyard.
Also present to meet the Holy Father were the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, the deputy prime minister of the United Kingdom, Nick Clegg, the first minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, and the head of the Church of Scotland.
The grandeur of the occasion was not lost on the Pope. As the Scots Guards band played national anthem of Great Britain, he removed his zucchetto as a mark of respect. He then walked -- still smiling -- into the Palace with the queen where the two leaders and Prince Phillip had a private audience lasting around 20 minutes.
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