Pope Benedict's visit to Britain was plunged into controversy following his key aide, Cardinal Walter Kasper''s reference to the UK as a "Third World" country.
The German — a key figure in the Pope's inner circle - declared: "When you land at
Heathrow, you think you are in a Third World land", The Sun reports.
It has been reported that the furore threatened to turn into a race row last night when Cardinal's secretary Monsignor Oliver Lahl said the "Third World" outburst referred to the "many different people", who live in Britain.
77-year-old Cardinal Kasper also claimed a "new and aggressive atheism" was
sweeping the UK - and raised the issue over a British Airways worker wearing a crucifix.
"If you wear a cross you are discriminated against. We want to publicly show our faith,"
said Cardinal Kasper.
"Cardinal Kasper''s comments did not represent the views of the Vatican nor those of bishops in this country," the paper quoted a spokesman for the Catholic Church in
England and Wales, as saying.
The Vatican in a statement said Cardinal Kasper had wanted to communicate that
Heathrow was a "melting pot of modern humanity with its diversity and problems" and had "no negative intention".