Catholics planning to attend open-air Mass arranged for the Pope’s visit to the UK will face a two-tier system, depending on which side of the Border they are.

Worshippers in Scotland will not have to pay to attend the Papal Mass to be held in Glasgow during the Pontiff’s visit, it was announced last night, while those attending the events in England and Wales will be charged up to £25.

The reassurance for Scottish followers came last night with thousands expected to attend the open-air mass at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow on 16 September.

Last night, a spokesman for the Catholic Media Office confirmed that Scots would not face an individual levy to see Pope Benedict XVI.

• Full story at The Scotsman.

• Filed under Church Finance/Management, Papal Visit, Roman Catholic Church, Scottish Christian News Monitor.