I’ve written to the East Anglian Daily Times, as follows:

Having just heard the Popes speech on arrival in the UK, Im absolutely furious. Its bad enough that were paying tens of thousands of s for his promotional tour when the Governments telling us were broke, then one of his minions describes us as like a Third World country ironically, the mans supposed to be a diplomat. Now those of us who dont have a religious faith are aligned with the Nazis. Coming from someone who was in the Hitler Youth, this is astonishing.

In his speech, Pope Benedict referred to atheist extremism of the twentieth century, meaning the Nazis. Nazism and atheism arent synonymous, and the extremism was entirely Hitlers. Although Hitler seems to have been confused about his religion he was raised a Catholic, but his views changed according to who he was talking to he wasnt an atheist. In a speech made in 1933, he said, The National Government … regards Christianity as the foundation of our national morality, and the family as the basis of national life.

Pope Benedict isnt welcome here. Hes presided over the Vaticans attempts to keep a lid on child abuse accusations. Its record on human rights is appalling. Its attitude to 21st century liberal human values is medieval. And now he compares people like me with Nazis? Were owed an apology, and a refund of the taxes that paid for the Popes visit.

If it’s printed and anyone replies, please let me know. I don’t get the paper these days – part of my economy drive.

Read the Pope’s speech here.