Three in four people believe the taxpayer should not have to foot the bill for the Pope's forthcoming visit to Scotland, according to a survey.

An online poll of 2005 adults found that 77% said taxes should not contribute to the cost of the visit, by Pope Benedict XVI.

The Pope is arriving in Scotland on September 16, flying in to Edinburgh Airport.

He will then go to Holyrood to be greeted by the Queen and travel along Princes Street, before going to Glasgow, taking Mass at Bellahouston Park.

The visit then moves south of the border.

The findings were issued by Theos, the public theology think tank. The Papal visit to Britain is the first since Pope John Paul II's 1982 trip.

The survey, conducted in August, also found widespread apathy in Britain towards 83-year-old Pope Benedict's arrival - 79% said they had "no personal interest" in his visit.

It was announced earlier this year that the cost of the trip to the public purse could be as high as £12m - not including the cost of policing the visit. The Catholic Church is expected to contribute up to £10m towards the costs.

Paul Wolley, director of Theos, said: "The British public clearly has a problem with the funding of the papal visit, although this could be because they are unaware that in addition to being a religious leader Pope Benedict is also a head of state."

He said only a relatively small proportion of people were actively opposed to the visit and the public was disengaged rather than hostile.

Eileen Cole, of the group Catholic Voices, said the Pope had been invited by the Queen and her Government to speak to the public, not just Catholics, because he has some "very clear, pertinent and wise" messages for society.

"The poll results show that people want to hear what he has to say, and I would add I think it will be worth every penny," she said.

A UK Government spokesman said: "The Holy See is an internationally recognised nation with significant influence across the world, while the Catholic Church has a billion adherents.

"The Pope is visiting at the invitation of the Queen. It is right and proper that the British Government should pay a share of the costs of the visit."