It would have been expensive to make sure he was safe,etc but I don’t think it was much when you look at the total amount of public money that we spend. I think his visit brought a lot of cheer and happiness into many people’s lives and you can’t put a price on that, so I had no problem with his visit.
I don’t think it was a waste of taxpayers’ money as I think it is essential that we are tolerant of all faiths and celebrate what we have in common. Remember it was a state visit and it received world media coverage. Commentators at the time also felt that it could help put Scotland on the map for religious tourism.
In principle, no. I think it is good that heads of state visit different countries, forge links, create atmosphere in which deals can be done. That cost is borne nationally.
But I think that some of the costs sounded ridiculously high – hotel rooms etc – > But my source of information is the press, so can I rely on the stories being true?
I thought it was great to see so many people out on the streets. I am not very religious and disagree with much of what the pope says, but it really was spectacular. Not to mention That he came to Scotland first.
billy
Well it was a state visit, not just a visit by the head of the Catholic Church, and state visits are normally paid for by the state (ie the tax payer)
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It would have been expensive to make sure he was safe,etc but I don’t think it was much when you look at the total amount of public money that we spend. I think his visit brought a lot of cheer and happiness into many people’s lives and you can’t put a price on that, so I had no problem with his visit.
PS I’m a Protestant!
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I don’t think it was a waste of taxpayers’ money as I think it is essential that we are tolerant of all faiths and celebrate what we have in common. Remember it was a state visit and it received world media coverage. Commentators at the time also felt that it could help put Scotland on the map for religious tourism.
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In principle, no. I think it is good that heads of state visit different countries, forge links, create atmosphere in which deals can be done. That cost is borne nationally.
But I think that some of the costs sounded ridiculously high – hotel rooms etc – > But my source of information is the press, so can I rely on the stories being true?
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