TURKEY: Preparations and security at Christian site on Turkish coast ahead of Pope Benedict's visit

Record ID: 731312

  • Title: TURKEY: Preparations and security at Christian site on Turkish coast ahead of Pope Benedict's visit
  • Date: 29th November 2006
  • Summary: (BN07) SELCUK, TURKEY(NOVEMBER 29, 2006)(REUTERS) MILITARY POLICE CHECKPOINT ON ROAD SOLDIERS CHECKING CARS CARS WAITING TO GO THROUGH CHECKPOINT PEOPLE CARRYING ITALIAN FLAGS WALKING PEOPLE WAITING TO PASS THROUGH SECURITY PEOPLE PASSING THROUGH SECURITY GATE SNIFFER DOG CHECKING A BAG ARMY SPECIAL FORCES ON GUARD
  • Embargoed: 14th December 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Turkey
  • Country: Turkey
  • Topics: Police,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVAC30JB28080N4AKY3G9YLG0FZ1
  • Story Text: Pope Benedict, pursuing a journey of fence-mending with Islam and Turkey, on Wednesday (November 29) pays tribute to one of Christianity's most revered sites before heading to Istanbul, city at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
    Fears of large protests were unfounded, with only two small and peaceful demonstrations in Ankara. About 3,000 police were out on patrol to keep order, with snipers on buildings and armoured personnel vehicles stationed on main intersections.
    Well-wishers were absent on the capital's main streets, an indication of the lack of interest in Benedict's visit in a country where many still view the Pope with suspicion.
    Turkey's top Muslim leader, Ali Bardakoglu, spoke out against growing Islamophobia and the idea that Islam encouraged violence.
    Newspaper Sabah said his speech was like a lesson to the Pope, who had been accused of failing to understand Islam.
    In his speech at the same event, Benedict said Christians and Muslims must continue an open dialogue because they believe in the same God and agree on the meaning and purpose of life.
    Benedict also appeared to do an about-face from his previous opposition to Ankara's bid to join the European Union.
    The Pope is due to fly west to the Aegean town of Ephesus, where legend says the mother of Jesus Christ lived out the last years of her life.
    The stone "Mary's House" was found in the late 19th century by archaeologists who based their searches on writings of German mystic Anne Catherine Emmerich.
    The Pope will say mass at the small sanctuary, visited every year by tens of thousands of Christians and Muslims.
    Security has been increased in the area with military police stopping and checking vehicles on the roads leading to the site.
    Tourists and pilgrims arrived at the the sanctuary, carrying national flags.
    The Pope then goes to Istanbul, the modern name of the city once known as Constantinople, which was the capital of the Byzantine Empire for more than 1,000 years until it was conquered by Muslim forces in 1453 and became the Ottoman seat.
    There, he will spend the last two days of the trip as the guest of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual head of the world's 250 million Orthodox Christians.
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