FOLLOWING reports today that the Pope's trip to the UK this year is expected to cost the Vatican and the UK tax payer over �20million, Stansted air operator easyJet has offered to reduce travel costs by allowing him to fly for free. An easyJet spokesman h

FOLLOWING reports today that the Pope's trip to the UK this year is expected to cost the Vatican and the UK tax payer over �20million, Stansted air operator easyJet has offered to reduce travel costs by allowing him to fly for free.

An easyJet spokesman has said that the company can offer his holiness a choice of routes from Rome to airports across the UK and a whole new experience of low-fares travel.

The spokesman said: "His holiness will be able to check in online, take advantage of the airline's generous hand baggage allowance, sit back and enjoy the customer service from friendly cabin crew."

In addition the airline will also include free speedy boarding, to enable his holiness to be amongst the first to board the aircraft and have a choice of seats.

Usually fares for flights between the UK and Rome start from �24.99 one way / �46.65 return, which is cheaper than the Pope's normal choice of airline.

The spokesman added: "EasyJet is offering to fly the Pope for free on this occasion as we are confident that once he has tried easyJet, his holiness will never look back."

The airline has today contacted the Holy Press Office in Rome to extend the invitation and is currently awaiting a response.