Pope to miss COP26
HOPES of welcoming Pope Francis on his first official visit to Scotland were dashed yesterday as the Pontiff called off his trip.
The Pope had planned to travel to Glasgow for the start of the COP26 climate change summit but the Vatican has said he will not attend.
Although he had never confirmed the trip, the Pope, who recently had colon surgery, had said that he wanted to attend the crucial talks – but the visit could be affected by his recovery.
Instead, he will be represented by the Vatican’s secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Last night Alistair Dutton, director of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, said: ‘We’re gutted the Pope can’t join us for COP here in Glasgow, as I’m sure Catholics throughout Scotland will be.’ He added: ‘Most importantly, it’s an enormous disappointment for everyone who had hoped that Pope Francis would inspire world leaders to really grasp the nettle and tackle the climate emergency.’
In an interview last month, Pope Francis said his summit speech was already in preparation but his attendance would depend on ‘how I feel at the time’. While the cancellation comes as a disappoint ment to the Catholic community and many of the 30,000 expected to attend the conference, it may present one less headache for those charged with the massive security operation.
During the conference, the Pope was expected to be based in Edinburgh, where President Joe Biden the Queen will be staying. Now it will be only the US president and the Queen requiring security escorts to Glasgow.
The Queen is expected to use her official residence at the Palace of Holyroodhouse but no details have been made public on Mr Biden’s accommodation plans. As the Pope bowed out, fresh details emerged yesterday of the security plans for the summit, which runs from October 31 to November 12.
They include school closures and restrictions on airspace.
Glasgow’s Gaelic schools for both primary and secondary pupils in Berkeley Street, Finnieston, will close on November 1 and 2, while the Civil Aviation Authority and Police Scotland confirmed there would be airspace restrictions across much of East and Central Scotland for a fortnight from October 31 to midnight on November 13.
Police said the restrictions apply to all aircraft, including hot air balloons and drones. Large aircraft, scheduled to carry passengers or freight, will fly as normal.
A Scottish Government spokesman said Glasgow City Council had requested permission for exceptional closures for four schools and three nurseries on November 1 and 2. Permission was granted in all seven cases.