London, England (CNN) -- Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Britain this week amid criticism over the landmark visit's cost to taxpayers and anger over the Vatican's record on child abuse and human rights.
A huge security operation is being mounted to protect the pontiff during his four-day tour --- the first papal state visit to Britain -- bumping estimated costs beyond £20 million ($31 million), with over half coming from government funds.
Tens of thousands are expected to greet Benedict at public Masses in the cities of Glasgow, Birmingham, and London and on the sidelines of meetings with political leaders, royalty and bridge-building events with Anglican Church officials
Benedict's September 16-19 trip is scheduled to culminate in the beatification of British Cardinal John Henry Newman, a Catholic convert who died in 1890 and is credited with helping rebuild Britain's Catholic community.
But with apathy and anger denting the UK's Catholic following (estimated at 9 percent of the population), the atmosphere greeting Benedict is expected to be very different from that festivities which met a pastoral visit 28 years ago by his predecessor John Paul II.
Assistant Chief Constable Fiona Taylor, of Scotland's Strathclyde Police force earlier this week said she estimated only 65,000 pilgrims would attend the pope's Glasgow Mass -- short of an initially anticipated 100,000.
There has already been widespread outcry over the estimated £12 million to be levied on taxpayers for pope's stay and to provide the armed police squads needed to protect a religious figurehead previously targeted by attackers.
CNN
