Most shockingly, the Pope is accused of colluding with the cover-up of child sex abuse by priests. Even today, he has not handed the Vatican’s bulging sex abuse files to the police.

Part of Benedict’s visit to Britain is being funded by the taxpayer. A Comres poll found that 77 per cent of the public oppose us footing the bill.

After all, we don’t fund visits by other religious leaders, such as the Chief Rabbi of Israel. Why should the Pope receive privileged financial support from our taxes?

Benedict’s defenders point out that he is a head of state. But heads of state are normally leaders of countries. The Vatican is not a country and it is not recognised as a country by the UN. Benedict is only a head of state because the antisemitic fascist dictator, Benito Mussolini, granted this status to Pope’s in 1929, as part of a treaty with the Vatican. It is a legacy of fascism and an historical anomaly.

By all means let Catholics welcome the Pope to Britain and fund his visit. But I don’t think he should be honoured with a state visit at the taxpayer’s expense.

Full article: http://www.thejc.com/comment-and-debate/comment/37968/comment-why-should-i-pay-pope

Peter Tatchell will present The Trouble with the Pope, Channel 4, Monday September 13 at 8pm.