Artist left ‘speechless’ by Pope gift

A Scottish artist, whose work was presented to the Pope by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, was left ‘speechless’ after he received a Papal medal in return.

The Moderator, the Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, gave Pope Francis a print of Michael McVeigh’s ‘Throwaway People’ at their audience at the Vatican in November. The Pope asked Mrs Foster-Fulton to give Mr McVeigh the medal as a token of his appreciation.

Mr McVeigh, who has exhibited his work in the Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh, said: “When I heard that Pope Francis wanted to give me something to say thanks for the print, I thought it was probably going to be a card with a quote from the Bible and a picture but I never expected a medal.

“What an incredible moment, it is so beautiful and I am going to keep it forever and ever and I will probably show it to everyone I meet.

“I am extremely proud, thank you so much.

“I never expect anything in life but when something like this happens, it is very special.

“’Throwaway People’ is my expression of those who never realise their potential in life and end up on the scrap heap through addiction and homelessness.

“I hope it will help remind Pope Francis not to forget people on the margins of society and continue to provide them with a bit of hope.”