Pope strikes conciliatory chord in TurkeyTHE TIMES: Turkey welcomed the Pope with swept streets, statues and bomb sniffer dogs today, signs of the excitement and hostility that are expected to accompany his first visit to a Muslim country.
The flags of the Vatican and of Turkey flew side by side along the highway leading from Ankara's airport into the city centre as bomb disposal teams scoured bridges and tunnels for explosives. Roads were closed and police in camouflage set up roadblocks. Snipers manned the rooftops.
The official business began immediately, and reflected the awkwardness that is expected to accompany the entire trip. Landing in Ankara at 1pm local time, Pope Benedict XVI was due to have a short, passing meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was on his way to the Nato Summit in Riga. Pope seeks brotherhood in hostile Turkey
Mark Alexander
1 comment:
The flags of the Vatican and of Turkey flew side by side...
How surreal is that?
Of course, we also have this:
Roads were closed and police in camouflage set up roadblocks. Snipers manned the rooftops.
Ah, the religion of peace. **snerk**
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