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First Minister meets Pope John Paul in the Vatican
04/12/2000
First Minister, Henry McLeish, today met His Holiness Pope John Paul II in the Vatican and paid tribute to his "crusading work over the last quarter of a century to promote peace and tackle poverty".
Mr McLeish, on his first official overseas visit as First Minister, said it was an honour to represent Scotland on such an occasion and that today's meeting in the Vatican symbolised Scotland's growing role in European affairs. Mr McLeish is in Italy to represent the Executive at the 400 th anniversary of the Scots College in Rome.
After his meeting with the Pope, the First Minister said:
"It is an honour to represent Scotland on an occasion like this. The very fact that the First Minister of Scotland and His Holiness the Pope are meeting in the Vatican symbolises the developing role that Scotland has in Europe.
"For the past 22 years Pope John Paul has demonstrated an indefatigable spirit. His Holiness has many remarkable achievements to his name. He is the longest serving Pope of the last century and the ninth longest serving Pope ever. He is the first ever Pope from Poland and the first non-Italian Pope for 450 years.
"On no less than 92 occasions he has travelled outside of Italy and we all remember his visit to Scotland in 1982. He has travelled with a purpose and it is important to recognise his crusading work over the last quarter of a century to promote world peace and tackle poverty.
"The next few days will see a number of events to celebrate the 400 th anniversary of the Scots College here in Rome and I think it is proper that the Executive recognises the importance of this event. As the Executive begins to establish a new set of relations with the European Union, it is important to remember that Scotland has links with Europe that go back centuries. We must work hard to take Scotland forward in Europe but we should also take time to celebrate our historical ties."
News Release: SE3130/2000
4 Dec 2000