Pope’s historic visit to Great Britain, amid controversy

Amid much controversy, Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Britain, where he was received by more than 125 thousand people in the streets of Glasgow, Scotland.

As soon as he arrived, the Pope admitted that the Catholic Church failed to act decisively and expeditiously in cases of sexual abuse of minors by priests. “Now the priority is to help the victims.”

Benedict XVI will be four days in the United Kingdom, where his image is rejected by a majority. Catholics are only 10% of British society, and have suffered constant persecution throughout history.

Moreover, the victims of pedophile priests haven’t shown compliance with the Pope’s statements, believing that the hierarchy of the Catholic Church is the responsible for covering up sexual abuse by priests around the world.

Meanwhile, Benedict XVI met with Queen Elizabeth II, as head of state and as head of the Anglican Church of England, in the Palace of Holyroodhouse in the Scottish city of Edinburgh.

The British press had no compassion for the papal visit and managed to highlight the cost of 12 million pounds (19 million) for the treasury, while the government sends austerity measures and unemployment grows.

The last pope’s visit to Britain was in 1982, when John Paul II traveled to mediate in the conflict between Britain and Argentina, over the Falkland Islands.