Cardinal Keith O'Brien said it had been "a great joy" to elect the Pope

Scotland's most senior Catholic was in the papal conclave which elected the new Pope.

The cardinal was only the second resident Scots cardinal to take part in such an election since the Reformation and said it had been a "great joy".

He first flew out to the Vatican after the death of the previous pontiff.

Arriving at Edinburgh Airport, Cardinal O'Brien said: "It is a pleasure to be back home in Scotland after the conclave to elect our new Pope, Benedict XVI.

'Spiritual experience'

"My time in Rome was an intensely spiritual experience, an opportunity for deep prayer in the company of my brother cardinals as we discussed God's will under the guidance of the Holy Spirit."

He said the new Pope had chosen the name Benedict, which comes from the Latin for "blessing" without hesitation.

Cardinal O'Brien added: "The hope of Benedict XVI that Europe will return to its Christian roots is one I share deeply.

"I rededicate myself to the task of reminding Scotland of its long Christian heritage and remind the Catholic community that one week from today we will have the opportunity to be informed and guided through our Christian faith when we cast our votes in the General Election."

Pope John Paul II died on 2 April and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope on 19 April by the conclave made up of 115 cardinals.

The 78-year-old German was chosen after a third round of votes by the conclave and became the 265th man to take up the position.