05/06/2014

The Pope Asked To Consider Glasgow Visit

Glasgow's Archbishop, Philip Tartaglia, has asked Pope Francis to consider a one-day pastoral visit to the city next year to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of St John Ogilvie on the saint's feast day on 10 March.

It would not be the first visit of the city by a Pope, after it hosted papal visits by John Paul II in 1982 and Benedict XVI in 2010.

In a letter to the Pope, the archbishop wrote that it would be "wonderful" if the pontiff could make a "purely religious-pastoral" visit to mark the anniversary of the saint's death.

John Ogilvie was a priest who was hanged at Glasgow Cross for high treason for converting Protestants to Catholicism.

Archbishop wrote: "I know that this is short notice for the visit of a Pope, I present this request to you without any expectations or sense of entitlement. I do not even know if it is practical! However a visit would be such a grace."

Papal visits use to be planned with several years in advance, but Pope Francis has in the past made short day visits to places of special significance.

However, Archbishop Tartaglia said: "Whether the Pope is able to come or not, I would hope that the anniversary will be a celebration and renewal of faith for the Catholic community, for other Christians, and for all people of faith."

(CVS/IT)

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