It has been reported that the Jewish community was offended by the timing of Pope Benedict XVI's main speech in Westminster Hall just before the onset of Yom Kippur on September 17.

But BoD chief executive Jon Benjamin said the visit would be "a momentous event for people of all faiths to celebrate the positive role of religion in this country and around the world.

"In an age when scepticism and ill-will towards religion is rising, it will be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that there is much to unite people of faith and that much can be achieved when we work together for the greater good, not only of our members, but for society as a whole".

He added: "There will be several opportunities for representatives of the Jewish community to meet the Pope and be involved in the visit, including on the Thursday in Edinburgh and the Friday morning in south west London, none of which is regarded as being problematic as regards the onset of Yom Kippur."

Mr Benjamin and BoD president Vivian Wineman will accompany Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks to a prayer meeting with representatives of religious congregations at Twickenham's St Mary's University College on the Friday morning.

However, Scottish Council of Jewish Communities public affairs officer Leah Granat said that no specific invitation to meet the Pope in Edinburgh had yet been made to Jewish community representatives.

She added that Jewish members of the Interfaith Council had been invited with their fellow council members to attend an open-air mass at Glasgow's Bellahouston Park, but she doubted whether they would be able to attend.

No arrangements have yet been made for Birmingham Jewry to meet the Pope before he leaves the UK from their city on Sunday, September 19.

Lord Sacks stressed the importance of Jewish representation in the British welcome.

He said: "It is important to maintain strong relations between Catholics and Jews, particularly at a time when Jews are feeling somewhat isolated over Israel."

He added: "Relations between Catholics and Jews have changed dramatically for the better since the Nostra Aetate of 1965."

Liberal Judaism will be represented by chairman Lucian Hudson and chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich, and the Movement for Reform Judaism by Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield.