Pope Benedict XVI, who has died at the age of 95, will be remembered as the first pope for over 600 years to resign from the post. But in Edinburgh and Scotland, he will be remembered for a historic visit that took place on September 16, 2010, when he made Edinburgh his first stop on a four-day visit to the UK.
His plane flew into Edinburgh Airport, he met the Queen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, was driven along Princes Street in a Popemobile and spoke to well-wishers outside the then Cardinal’s residence in Morningside before going in for lunch. He later led a huge outdoor mass in Gasgow’s Bellahouston Park attended by around 65,000 people before flying to London that evening.
Benedict XVI succeeded John Paul II on his death in 2005 but stunned the church and the watching world by standing down in 2013. It was the first resignation by a pope since Gregory XII in 1415. He has since lived quietly in a monastery inside the Vatican. Many tributes have been paid following his death on Friday Dec 31 and thousands of people are filing past his coffin s it lies in state ahead of his funeral on Thursday.
Here are some pictures recalling the day he came to Edinburgh.
Benedict XVI succeeded John Paul II on his death in 2005 but stunned the church and the watching world by standing down in 2013. It was the first resignation by a pope since Gregory XII in 1415. He has since lived quietly in a monastery inside the Vatican. Many tributes have been paid following his death on Friday Dec 31 and thousands of people are filing past his coffin s it lies in state ahead of his funeral on Thursday.
5. Crowds line Princes Street to greet Benedict XVI
A crowd estimated at 125,000 gathered to cheer Pope Benedict n the centre of Edinburgh. A St Ninian's Day parade, featuring pipe bands, school children and a historical pageant, took place along Princes Street just before Pope Benedict was driven the full length of the street and up Lothian Road in a Popemobile to have lunch at Cardinal Keith O'Brien's official residence in Morningside. Photo: Jane Barlow
6. Popemobile on Princes Street
The motorcade, with Pope Benedict XVI in the Popemobile, made its way through the city centre, along the full length of Princes Street, and up Lothian Road, cheered by well-wishers waving saltires. This is the view along Princes Street from the Royal Scottish Academy at the Mound. Photo: Ian Georgeson
7. Eager to see history being made
Many school children were among the crowds who turned out to see the Pope. These two are ready with their flags - a saltire and and a Papal flag - and eagerly looking for the special visitor, keen to witness a moment of history - only the second time a Pope had visited Scotland. Photo: Ian Georgeson
8. The Popemobile
The Popemobile used for his visit to Scotland was a modified Mercedes M-Class vehicle, which cost £75,000, and had the number plate SCV1 - the Italian abbreviation for the Vatican City State. It had large bullet-proof windows, a security guard sat in the front alongside the driver and there was room for two aides to sit in front of the Pope in his elevated chair. Photo: Ian Georgeson