Prayers, tears and jubilation during Glasgow visit

BELLAHOUSTON PARK in Glasgow was awash with colour yesterday as thousands of flag-waving pilgrims welcomed Pope Benedict XVI for an open-air Mass.

More than 65,000 people gathered in the south side of the city, waving Saltire and yellow and white Vatican flags. It was the first Papal visit since John Paul II came to Scotland 28 years ago when 250,000 turned out to hear the “rock-star” Pope.

Pope Benedict entered the park to cheers, organ music and hymns. As he made a circuit of the park in his Popemobile, under heavy security, he was allowed to stop. The window was rolled down and the Pontiff kissed a baby. Shortly afterwards, a pink-clad toddler was held aloft and again the Pope stopped and kissed the child twice.