Celebration mass for Pope Benedict XVI at St Andrews Cathedral Glasgow

Scots remember Pope Benedict as 'kind, gentle man'

Scots have paid tribute to the late Pope Benedict XVI as a kind and gentle man in requiem masses across Scotland.

They took place as Pope Francis presided over Benedict's funeral at St Peter's basilica at the Vatican.

Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews and Edinburgh, who previously worked in the Holy See's entourage, said he treated everyone with "great courtesy".

He said Benedict had enjoyed his visit to Scotland in 2010 when thousands saw him give mass at Bellahouston Park.

Benedict was the first pontiff to visit Scotland in 28 years, after Pope John Paul II gave mass at the same park in 1982.

Archbishop of Glasgow William Nolan, who gave requiem mass in Glasgow Cathedral, said Benedict was seen by the media as "God's Rottweiler" before he became pope.

But he said everyone who met him realised that was not the case.

"If you remember his visit back in 2010 there was a lot of negativity before he came to the UK", said Archbishop Nolan.

"But once people met him and listened to him, they saw he was a completely different character altogether.

"He was really very much a Bavarian gentleman, a man of faith, someone who sought to serve God to the best of his ability."
Archbishop Nolan added that Benedict's resignation showed "humility" - but also set a precedent for future popes "that will be followed".

He said: "Already Pope Francis has indicated that if he feels he's not able to continue then he will follow the example of Benedict and step aside.

"I know there is a committee in Rome already looking at what should happen - we need some kind of protocols in place if this is going to be a common occurrence as to what happens when someone does step down.

"We'll certainly see popes in the future retiring and stepping aside once they feel they're no longer able to continue."