Susan Boyle is to sing for the Pope

The 'Wild Horses' singer is expected to perform for Pope Benedict XVI – who is making his first visit to Britain in September – as part of a public mass in Glasgow, Scotland.

A spokesman for the Catholic Church in the country said: "Negotiations are still under way but we expect Susan Boyle to perform as part of the Papal Mass at Bellahouston Park."

The 49-year-old star – who is from Blackburn, West Lothian, in Scotland - recently spoke of her desire to perform for the head of the Catholic Church when he comes to the UK.

She said: "The Pope is a very special person and singing for him within the mass, it's not just for him, it's for everybody."

Around 100,000 worshippers are expected to attend the service.

A statement from Scotland's Catholic bishops said: "The Catholic Church welcomes the confirmation by Glasgow City Council that Bellahouston Park will be available and suitable for the visit of Pope Benedict XVI.

"The park provides a wonderful venue for what will be a tremendous event. It is a place that has a great resonance for Scottish Catholics, many of whom remember the wonderful day in 1982 when Pope John Paul II said mass there."