I WRITE in response to Mr Asquith’s letter (Should We Foot Bill of Papal Visit, Daily Echo, Thursday September 9), questioning the expense of the visit of the Pope to the UK on the grounds of the Catholic Church’s roots in the Roman Empire.

This letter is another example of the alarming trend of intolerance for the values of different faiths. One of the great achievements of the Roman Empire was its widespread religious tolerance. Christianity, Greek Pagan religion, Judaism, Mithraism, Roman Pagan religion and various secret mystery religions were all accepted at different times throughout the empire. Perhaps we could learn a lesson from history?

S JAMES, Dalmeny Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth