Salt + Light Media Menu
Salt + Light Media Home
Magnifying Glass
coverPhoto
Premium content

Asset title

Asset description

Pope in UK: Have tartan, will travel

Matthew Harrison

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI donned a specially designed Papal tartan over his shoulders as he traveled from Holyroodhouse Palace to the Archbishop of Edinburgh's residence.  His route was part of a St. Ninian Day parade; the feast of the 5th century Bishop is celebrated today in Scotland.
POPE-BRITAIN/ARRIVEThe tartan itself has great symbolism.  The white line on blue field recalls Scotland's national colours while the green reflects lichens growing on the stones of Whithorn in Galloway.  That's the location where St. Ninian first brought the Gospel to Scotland some 16oo years ago.
There are also white lines accompanied by red lines, which is an acknowledgement to the colours on Cardinal Newman's coat of arms.  The yellow lines, combined with the white, are also the colours of the Vatican.
Each white line on the green contains eight threads -- one for each Catholic diocese in Scotland, and there are 452 threads in the design, which represent the number of Catholic parishes.
A tie or scarf was given to over 130 politicians when the tartan was unveiled last week -- First Minister Alex Salmond could be seen sporting the tartan tie this morning!
-
Photo CNS


Related Articles:

Category: Apostolic Journeys

Tag: Atomic Bomb, Japan, Nagasaki, Nuclear Weapons, peace

Papal Visit to Corsica highlights Mediterranean Catholicism’s diverse spirituality

Friday, December 13, 2024

Matthew Neugebauer

On Sunday, December 15, Pope Francis is making a short trip to Ajaccio on the Mediterranean island of Corsica.

Pope’s General Audience – September 18, 2024

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Pope Francis

In his weekly catechesis, Pope Francis reflected on his recent Apostolic Journey to Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Meeting with Authorities, Civil Society, and the Diplomatic Corps of Singapore: Address of His Holiness

Thursday, September 12, 2024

Pope Francis

Pope Francis addressed the authorities, civil society, and diplomatic corps of Singapore on the second day of his visit to the country.

Pope Francis’ Homily at Holy Mass in the Esplanade of Taci Tolu

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Pope Francis

Pope Francis gave the homily at Holy Mass in the Esplanade of Taci Tolu in Dili, reflecting that "God shines his saving light through the gift of a son."

Interreligious Meeting: Address of His Holiness

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Pope Francis

Pope Francis addressed an interreligious meeting at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, on the second day of his Apostolic Visit to Indonesia.

SUPPORT LABEL

Receive our newsletters
Stay Connected
Receive our newsletters
Stay Connected
Copyright © 2025 Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation
Registered Charity # 88523 6000 RR0001
FR | CH