Historic ties with the Vatican were celebrated

A Mass at St Andrew's Cathedral in Glasgow on Sunday was followed by a civic reception in the City Chambers.

The celebration was led by Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow, who was joined by newly-created Cardinal Keith O'Brien, of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

The event was also attended by politicians, senior civil servants and representatives of other churches.

They included House of Commons speaker Michael Martin, Scottish National Party leader John Swinney and Glasgow's Lord Provost Liz Cameron.

Speaking beforehand, Archbishop Conti said: "I am delighted that so many people representing so many areas of national life will be present to celebrate the Holy Father's silver jubilee and a series of other anniversaries."

The ceremony took place at St Andrew's Cathedral in Glasgow

This year also sees the 125th anniversary of the restoration of the Catholic hierarchy to Scotland after the reformation and the 1400th anniversary of the death of St Mungo.

The archbishop used the occasion to highlight the historic ties between the Catholic Church in Scotland and the Vatican.

He said: "It is an occasion for us remembering the Holy Father's visit in 1982.

"It is also an occasion for recalling the long connections between Scotland and the Holy See, connections which of course have been increased recently with the appointment of my colleague from Edinburgh as a member of the College of Cardinals."

Cardinal O'Brien was one of 31 new appointments made last week.