Addressing Scotland's Catholic Bishops in Rome today, the Pope has confirmed he will travel to Scotland later this year as part of his UK visit. Responding to an address by Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the Pope said; "Later this year, I shall have the joy of being present with you and the Catholics of Scotland on your native soil."

Scotland’s Catholic Bishops will travel to Rome from 3 – 10 February 2010 for their “Ad Limina”, five-yearly visit to the Holy See. (The full term is Ad Limina Apostolorum, which means literally “To the thresholds of the Apostles”. The bishops visit the tombs of the Apostles and present a Five-Yearly Report to the Holy Father on the state of their dioceses)