The Pope evoked the moral heroism of a long line of British figures, from Florence Nightingale to Cardinal John Henry Newman, whom the Pope is to beatify during the visit. Christian witness was also evident during the Second World War against a "Nazi tyranny that wished to eradicate God from society," he said.

"As we reflect on the sobering lessons of the atheist extremism of the 20th century, let us never forget how the exclusion of God, religion and virtue from public life leads ultimately to a truncated vision of man and of society," he said.

In an unusual courtesy gesture, Queen Elizabeth II sent her husband, Prince Philip, to greet the Pope when he arrived at the Edinburgh airport after a two-hour flight from Rome. The Pope looked eager to begin his busy program in Britain, and on the plane he told reporters he felt confident the country would give him a respectful reception, despite differences with some critics of religion.

Edinburgh welcomed the 83-year-old Pope with a display of enthusiasm and Scottish tradition, including a parade, bagpipe bands and plaid tartans designed especially for the visit. It was his first visit as Pope to Britain and the first time the country has hosted a papal visit since 1982, when Pope John Paul II toured England, Scotland and Wales for six days.

The Pope outlined an argument for the place of religion in public affairs, emphasizing that British saints and other leading Christians have "shaped the nation for good at the deepest level." While Great Britain today strives to be a multicultural society, he said, it must respect the traditional values and cultural expressions "that more aggressive forms of secularism no longer value or even tolerate." He said the British media have a big responsibility in shaping the ideas and culture of its society and in promoting the "honesty, respect and fair-mindedness" for which the country is known.

Queen Elizabeth also underlined the importance of Britain's Christian heritage and told the Pope his visit is a reminder of "the Christian contribution to the encouragement of world peace and to the economic and social development of the less prosperous countries of the world."

The queen said that because religion is so important to national identity, the relationship between different churches and different faiths is "a fundamental factor in the necessary co-operation within and between nation states. It is, therefore, vital to encourage a greater mutual and respectful understanding."

The queen, who serves as governor general of the Anglican Church of England, told the Pope, "We know from experience that through committed dialogue, old suspicions can be transcended and a greater mutual trust established."

The Pope's arrival coincided with St. Ninian's Day, marking the feast of Scotland's first saint and evangelizer. Traditional celebrations in honour of the fourth-century saint were resurrected this year, including a parade featuring the harmonic drone of more than 1,000 bagpipe players.

The parade concluded with the Pope's passage in his popemobile. Thousands of schoolchildren lined the parade route and cheered the Pope, who was wearing his new tartan scarf over his shoulders. More than 150 protesters also were present, but did not disrupt the Pope's visit or the celebration of the crowds who came out to welcome him.

After the parade, the Pope was treated to a traditional Scottish lunch at the residence of Cardinal Keith O'Brien of St. Andrews and Edinburgh.

The Pope's arrival was carried live on British television, and his visit was expected to draw widespread media attention in a country often described as one of the least religious in Europe.