Anxiety over Pope's visit to TurkeyTHE TIMES: The Vatican is so anxious about the Pope’s safety during his trip to Turkey this week that it has vetoed use of the traditional “Popemobile”.
Instead, Pope Benedict XVI will travel in an armour-plated car, with several similar vehicles used as decoys, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the former papal spokesman, said.
Officials have also drawn up contingency plans for him to wear a bulletproof vest beneath his papal vestments as Turkish authorities mount a huge security operation including rooftop snipers, special forces, helicopters and navy speedboats.
Before his first visit to a Muslim country, the Pope tried to defuse further protests yesterday, sending “cordial greetings” of “esteem and sincere friendship” to “the dear Turkish people” when he addressed pilgrims from his window above St Peter’s Square during Angelus prayers.
Papal aides confirmed that, in a conciliatory gesture to Muslims, the Pope had altered his official programme to include a visit to the Blue Mosque, or Sultanahmet, in Istanbul. Popemobile gives way to armoured car on visit to 'minefield' by Richard Owen
Young and old of Istanbul are happy to roar their disapproval
20,000 Turks protest over visit by Pope by Malcolm Moore
Mark Alexander
3 comments:
Funny thing about the Pope's trip...I'm not hearing much about it on the news. This is atypical for his trips; usually we hear more.
Always, I think they might be trying to play it down, so as not to inflame the already delicate situation.
Good luck with all the security precautions, huh?
I love the Pope, but this trip makes me wonder if he is simply setting himself up to be a martyr.
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