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Turkey boosts security for Pope Turkey boosts security for Pope
(about 1 hour later)
Tight security is in place in Turkey ahead of Pope Benedict XVI's first trip to a mainly Muslim country since acceding to the papacy. Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in Turkey on his first trip to a mainly Muslim country since acceding to the papacy.
Fifteen thousand police are on guard, snipers are in place and a decoy motorcade will be used on the trip. Security is tight, with 15,000 police on guard. Snipers are in place and a decoy motorcade will be used during the Pope's visit.
The four-day visit was arranged so the Pope could meet the head of the Orthodox Christian Church, in Istanbul. The four-day stay was arranged so the Pope could meet the head of the Orthodox Christian Church, in Istanbul.
But it has been overshadowed by anger among many Muslims, enraged by comments the Pope made about Islam.But it has been overshadowed by anger among many Muslims, enraged by comments the Pope made about Islam.
Tens of thousands protested on the streets of Istanbul at the weekend, calling on the Pope to stay away or apologise for his remarks.Tens of thousands protested on the streets of Istanbul at the weekend, calling on the Pope to stay away or apologise for his remarks.
What our guest says, what he does and will do is important Cemil CicekTurkish Justice Ministe Pope's delicate mission Trip impact: Have your sayWhat our guest says, what he does and will do is important Cemil CicekTurkish Justice Ministe Pope's delicate mission Trip impact: Have your say
Turkey says security for the pontiff will be higher than for US President George W Bush's visit in 2004.Turkey says security for the pontiff will be higher than for US President George W Bush's visit in 2004.
The Pope will be ferried around by armour-plated cars instead of the famous "Popemobile".The Pope will be ferried around by armour-plated cars instead of the famous "Popemobile".
But Turkish officials have insisted that the Pope will not be in danger during his time in the country.But Turkish officials have insisted that the Pope will not be in danger during his time in the country.
While in Turkey Benedict will become only the second pontiff to visit a mosque, and will also meet Islamic and Jewish leaders as well as the heads of Turkey's Christian communities.While in Turkey Benedict will become only the second pontiff to visit a mosque, and will also meet Islamic and Jewish leaders as well as the heads of Turkey's Christian communities.
LECTURE ROW Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached Pope quoting Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Orthodox Christian Byzantine Empire Pope stresses Muslim respect LECTURE ROW Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached Pope quoting Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Orthodox Christian Byzantine Empire Pope stresses Muslim respect
"The scope of this visit is dialogue, brotherhood, a commitment for understanding between cultures, between religions, for reconciliation," he said before leaving Rome, according to Reuters news agency."The scope of this visit is dialogue, brotherhood, a commitment for understanding between cultures, between religions, for reconciliation," he said before leaving Rome, according to Reuters news agency.
Words importantWords important
Opposition to Benedict's visit stems from comments the Pope made on a previous overseas trip, to Germany in September.Opposition to Benedict's visit stems from comments the Pope made on a previous overseas trip, to Germany in September.
In a speech to an academic audience, the Pope quoted a Byzantine emperor who characterised Islam as a violent religion.In a speech to an academic audience, the Pope quoted a Byzantine emperor who characterised Islam as a violent religion.
PAPAL TRIP 28 Nov:
  • Arrives at Ankara airport, to meet PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan
  • Visits mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern republic
  • Meets President Ahmet Necdet Sezer
  • 29 Nov:
  • Goes to Ephesus to say mass at site where Virgin Mary believed to have died
  • Goes to Istanbul to meet Patriarch Bartholomew I, head of the Greek Orthodox Church, for first of series of encounters
  • 1 Dec: Visits Hagia Sophia (6th Century Byzantine church converted into mosque in 1453, then transformed into museum in 1935) and Blue Mosque
    PAPAL TRIP 28 Nov:
  • Arrives at Ankara airport, to meet PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan
  • Visits mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern republic
  • Meets President Ahmet Necdet Sezer
  • 29 Nov:
  • Goes to Ephesus to say mass at site where Virgin Mary believed to have died
  • Goes to Istanbul to meet Patriarch Bartholomew I, head of the Greek Orthodox Church, for first of series of encounters
  • 1 Dec: Visits Hagia Sophia (6th Century Byzantine church converted into mosque in 1453, then transformed into museum in 1935) and Blue Mosque
    While the Pope insisted the remarks did not reflect his own views, the speech was widely reported and caused anger across the Islamic world.While the Pope insisted the remarks did not reflect his own views, the speech was widely reported and caused anger across the Islamic world.
    Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to meet the Pope when he arrives in Ankara at 1100 GMT on Tuesday. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met the Pope at the airport in Ankara and the two men went into talks.
    Mr Erdogan, whose party has Islamic roots, had not originally planned to meet Benedict during his visit.Mr Erdogan, whose party has Islamic roots, had not originally planned to meet Benedict during his visit.
    Correspondents say that with talks on Turkey's EU membership bid on a knife-edge, there is extreme sensitivity there about the attitude of the Christian West towards their country - and the Pope's visit may be a focus for those concerns.Correspondents say that with talks on Turkey's EU membership bid on a knife-edge, there is extreme sensitivity there about the attitude of the Christian West towards their country - and the Pope's visit may be a focus for those concerns.
    Ahead of the Pope's arrival, one government minister said he hoped the papal visit could become a "turning point" in relations between Christianity and Islam.Ahead of the Pope's arrival, one government minister said he hoped the papal visit could become a "turning point" in relations between Christianity and Islam.
    "What our guest says, what he does and will do is important," said Justice Minister Cemil Cicek."What our guest says, what he does and will do is important," said Justice Minister Cemil Cicek.
    In 1981 a Turkish gunman, Ali Agca, wounded Benedict's predecessor, Pope John Paul II, in a Rome shooting.In 1981 a Turkish gunman, Ali Agca, wounded Benedict's predecessor, Pope John Paul II, in a Rome shooting.
    Popes Paul VI and John Paul II visited Turkey in 1967 and 1979, respectively.Popes Paul VI and John Paul II visited Turkey in 1967 and 1979, respectively.