The Pope will fly from Rome and touch down in Scotland on his visit to Britain later this year.
Pope Benedict XVI will arrive at EdinburghAirport in September on the first UK visit by a pontiff since 1982. Protocol demands that as a visiting head of state the Queen receives him ceremonially – usually at Horse Guards Parade in London.
But the Queen will be at Balmoral making it practical to receive the Pope at HolyroodPalace in Edinburgh.
A source said: “Neither the Pope, who will be 83, nor the Queen, need any stress and it was thought this will be more comfortable. The Pope has a huge following in Scotland.”
The source added: “They will have lunch and then Pope Benedict will rest before Mass at Glasgow Green.”
The Pope will then fly to London on his four-day tour taking in Birmingham. In another break with tradition, he has refused a state procession due to the austere times.