Pope's UK visit prompts protest letter from celebs

More than 50 public figures in the UK have signed a letter to the Guardian newspaper protesting against Pope Benedict's visit this week.

Signatories including Stephen Fry and author Philip Pullman are objecting for several reasons, including the pontiff's stance on birth control, gay rights and abortion.

Benedict will be the first Pope to pay a state visit to Britain when he arrives tomorrow. His predecessor John Paul II made a "pastoral" visit in 1982.