The Pope’s stargazer is to visit Scotland for a week to attend events aimed at exploring the evidence for God’s existence.

Brother Guy Consolmagno, an American research astronomer and director of the Vatican Observatory, has accepted an invitation from interdenominational Grasping the Nettle (GTN).

GTN is backed by Scottish church leaders and promotes dialogue on how faith and science can work together.

Brother Consolmagno, a Jesuit religious brother, a theologian and an acclaimed orator, said: “I am thrilled to be coming to Scotland to participate in the ‘Grasping the Nettle’ programme.