Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy will be in Rome on Wednesday to hold talks about the prospective visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the UK next year.
Mr Murphy will hold talks with the Vatican after discussions earlier this week with Prime Minister Gordon Brown over the trip.
It is thought the Scottish Secretary will attend talks and dinners with senior Vatican officials along with Cardinal Keith O’Brien - the leader of Scotland’s Roman Catholics – and, perhaps, even the Pope himself.
Last month, Cardinal O’Brien confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI will come to Scotland next year as part of his state visit to Britain, but nothing has been confirmed formally by the Vatican.
Mr Murphy has been asked by the Prime Minister to become involved in the coordination of the proposed visit and it is expected that Mr Murphy will also be pushing strongly with the Vatican for Scotland to be included in the Pope's UK visit.
Prior to the trip, the Scottish Secretary said: "It would be a fantastic occasion if the Pope were to visit Britain.
"The Prime Minister wants us to work closely with the Vatican and assist in whatever way we can. That is why I will be going out to Rome.
"It is too early to say if the Pope will be coming to Scotland next year but it certainly won't be for a lack of trying on my part. A visit from the Pope is something which would be welcomed by all faiths."
