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Turkish Security Department will take the highest-level security measures in Ankara, as well as in Istanbul and Izmir, during Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Turkey next week, sources told the A.A on Friday. A meeting took place at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday with the participation of high-level officials from the MFA, the Security Department and the National Intelligence Agency (MIT) prior to the arrival of the Pope, scheduled for November 28th. During the meeting, all necessary measures to be taken during the visit were scrutinized. Accordingly, the highest-level security measures will be taken at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport before and after landing of the plane carrying the Pope at about 1.00 p.m. All roads on the route of the Pope will be periodically controlled with explosive detectors. Turkish teams will also accompany the Pope who will be protected by his own bodyguards. The Security Department determined three different routes to be taken by the Pope when he travels from the airport to the city center. Also, a vehicle equipped with frequency- mixing devices will escort the automobile carrying the Pope. Benedict XVI will first visit the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. He will meet President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Religious Affairs head Ali Bardakoglu later in the day. Since the Pope’s visit is considered critical following his statement which created uneasiness in the Islamic world, the Security Department held a series of talks with non-governmental organizations for any likely protests.
Protestors will not be allowed to come closer to the routes to be used by the Pope. Benedict XVI will spend his first night in Turkey at the Vatican Embassy. Tight security measures will be taken in and around the embassy building. Nearly 3 thousand policemen will be deployed in Ankara during nearly 20-hour stay of the Pope.
Texts and pictures are taken from the domestic press Hurriyet Newspaper – 2006
What Pope Benedict XVI will say in Turkey Hürriyet İnternet Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Vatican’s secretary for relations with states and de facto foreign minister, was doing advance work for Pope Benedict XVI’s upcoming visit to Turkey in a recent interview with Avvenire, a Catholic daily newspaper. According to Archbishop Mamberti, in his major address the pope is expected to express his appreciation of Muslims and voice his wish for cooperation between faiths for the good of humanity. The pope will also emphasize the need for freedom of faith in Turkey.
Texts and pictures are taken from the domestic press Hurriyet Newspaper – 2006
In his weekly Sunday prayers delivered in Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City, Pope Benedict XVI yesterday mentioned Turkey and the Turkish people, saying “I want to extend my heartfelt greetings to the Turkish people, who are so rich in history and culture. Please pray for me on my visit to Turkey, that it may bear the fruits the Lord wishes.” According to papal spokesman Federico Lombardi, the Pope is planning on making a visit to Istanbul’s famous Blue Mosque, a decision which is viewed by many as one more attempt by the Vatican to soften the tension between Benedict XVI and the Islamic world. Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the Blue Mosque will be his first visit to any mosque since becoming Pope. Benedict XVI’s predecessor, Pope Jean Paul II, had visited a mosque in Syria during a 2001 trip to that country, which marked the first time ever that any Pope had made an official visit to a mosque. In other comments, papal spokesman Lombardi also told Reuters yesterday that no Pope ever eats a meal with political figures on visits to countries abroad. This comment was in reference to reports that Pope Benedict XVI had refused an invitation from Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to dinner. In reference to the fact that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is planning on being out of the country while Benedict XVI visits Turkey, Lombardi commented “If Prime Minister Erdogan sees the NATO summit as more important, that is his own business.”
EU is possible
Lombardi also stressed to Reuters that the Vatican was no officially opposed to Turkish membership in the EU, noting that if Turkey fulfilled all of the necessary requirements “there is no reason for it not to enter the EU.” Benedict XVI to speak Italian on trip to Turkey During his visit to the Turkish Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Pope will be speaking Italian, according to Vatican sources in Ankara.
Texts and pictures are taken from the domestic press Hurriyet Newspaper – 2006
POPE IS IN TURKEY !
A Warm Welcome to Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in Turkey on Tuesday as the formal guest of Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the pope at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport. The pope will stay in Turkey for four days.
Pope Benedict XVI meets Turkish Premier Erdogan
Pope Benedict XVI met Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport on Tuesday. The meeting was closed to press members. Following the meeting, Erdogan will leave for Riga, Latvia to attend NATO heads of state & government summit.
POPE’S SCHEDULE IN TURKEY
Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Turkish capital of Ankara today upon invitation of Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. The pope was welcomed by Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Esenboga Airport. Pope Benedict XVI will begin his official talks in Ankara by meeting PM Erdogan at the airport. After his meeting with the pontiff and before flying to Latvia for the NATO summit, Erdogan is expected to hold a press conference. The pope will visit Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the Founder of Turkish Republic. Later, he will be welcomed by a state ceremony by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer at the Presidential Palace in Cankaya. Sezer and Pope Benedict XVI will discuss ways to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation, and exchange views about some regional and international topics during their meeting which will follow the state ceremony. After receiving Turkish State Minister & Deputy PM Mehmet Ali Sahin, Pope Benedict XVI will meet Ali Bardakoglu, the head of Religious Affairs DG. A statement is expected to be released afterwards. Within the scope of his official visit to Ankara, the pope will receive diplomatic mission chiefs at the Vatican Embassy in Ankara, have his dinner at the embassy building and spend the night there. Proceeding to Aegean city of Izmir tomorrow morning, the pontiff will conduct a religious ceremony at the Virgin Mary Church in Selcuk town. Pope Benedict XVI will then fly to Istanbul, and visit Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. The pope will attend a religious ceremony at the patriarchate on November 30th, and address people from the balcony. He will visit the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque the same day. The pontiff will also conduct a religious ceremony at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Istanbul on Friday, and depart from Turkey.
POPE TO BE PROTECTED WITH TIGHTEST SECURITY MEASURES
Pope Benedict XVI will be guarded with tightest security measures during his visit to Turkey. The police will take the same measures they took during U.S. President George W. Bush’s visit to capital Ankara in 2004. Not only special forces teams, but also the security forces will surround Ankara’s Esenboga Airport as the pontiff’s plane lands. The pope will also be protected by his own bodyguards, the Presidential bodyguards, and dignitary protection teams of the Ankara Police Department. Pope’s vehicle will be followed by a car that carries a frequency scrambler. But, this will not affect the radios used by the bodyguards. Civilian police officers will be deployed in the vicinity when the pontiff is visiting Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the Founder of the Republic of Turkey. Snipers and special force teams will be on roofs of the buildings. After Pope Benedict XVI visits the Presidential Palace in Cankaya district, he will proceed to the Religious Affairs building. Also security measures will be tightened through the routes he will pass. Also, tight security measures will be taken around the Vatican Embassy in Ankara, where the pontiff will stay, till the morning of November 29th, when the pontiff will depart from Ankara. Around 3,000 police officers have taken position in several places in Ankara to ensure security.
SECURITY AT AIRPORT
Before the pope arrived in Ankara, all vehicles entering the Esenboga Airport underwent a tight security check. Special teams were deployed at the apron, and a helicopter flew over the airport.
MEDIA
Around 2,000 journalists have been accredited to cover the visit. A press center has been opened at the Hilton Hotel for Turkish and foreign journalists. Only state-run TRT and Anadolu Agency will cover Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Anitkabir. TRT will broadcast the visit live and without a logo, while related photographs can be obtained from the Anadolu Agency. Meanwhile, Pope Benedict XVI will use English, French and Italian during his stay in Turkey.
THIRD POPE TO BE HOSTED BY TURKEY
Pope Benedict XVI is the third pope visiting Turkey. Pope Paul VI was hosted in Turkey in 1967, and Pope John Paul II visited Turkey in 1979. Both Pope Paul VI and Jean Paul II visited Turkey to participate in Saint Andreas mass at the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate.
Pope Benedict XVI @ Anitkabir
Pope Benedict XVI is paying a visit to Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the Founder of Turkish Republic. Pope arrived in Anitkabir at 2.10 p.m. on Tuesday after having an audience with Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Esenboga Airport. Tight security measures are in place in and around the mausoleum.
PM Erdogan calls efforts of Pope protestors “empty”
In Ankara today, prior to his meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at Esenboga Airport was supposed to take place, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reserved criticism for recent protests against the visit by the leader of the Catholic world. Erdogan characterized efforts to turn the Pope’s visit into political gain by certain groups “empty.”
Addressing his ruling AKP group in Ankara earlier in the day, Erdogan talked about the Pope being the special guest of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, saying “There is no doubt that we will outdo ourselves as a people and a nation in showing the Pope hospitality. I hope that this visit, to which we are attaching great importance, will contribute to our efforts for alliances between civilizations and global peace.”
Neither ‘Popemobile’ nor bullet proof vest for the Pope
Pope Benedict XVI has reportedly ignored warnings to him from certain circles that his life may be in danger during his visit to Turkey, which begins today. The “Popemobile,” which was prepared especially for papal tours, will not be used by Benedict XVI in Turkey, nor will the Pope be wearing a special bullet proof vest.
President Sezer to present Pope with silk rug
Though the Pope has not yet arrived in Turkey, there is not much mystery as to the presents to be exchanged in Ankara when Benedict XVI meets up with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Sources report that Sezer will be presenting Pope Benedict XVI will a silk rug, silver, and a Kutahya porcelain plate, while the Pope presents Sezer with a specially bound edition of documents dating back to the first relations between the Vatican and the Ottoman Empire.
Prime Ministerial sources also report that it is likely that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be presenting the Pope with a present at Esenboga Airport, though whether it will be silver or a porcelain plate has not been confirmed. The head of Turkey’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ali Bardakoglu, will be presenting the Pope with an English version of “Mesnevi,” a work by Mevlana, as well as a picture done in traditional Turkish “ebru” style painting.
Texts and pictures are taken from the domestic press Hurriyet Newspaper – 2006
Pope Benedict XVI states support for Turkish EU bid to Sezer, Erdogan
Pope Benedict XVI, who arrived yesterday in Ankara for the start of his historic visit to Turkey, began the day with a gesture aimed at supporting Turkey’s bid for EU accession. Though he had been known to speak out before becoming Pope against Turkish accession to the EU, Benedict XVI yesterday in talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Ahmet Necdet Sezer asserted his support for Turkey’s quest, telling Sezer “There is a place in the EU for Turkey.” To Erdogan, the Pope said “In order to see different civilizations, beliefs, and cultures living side by side, we want to see Turkey in the EU.”
Benedict: Islam a religion of peace
Meanwhile, when Benedict XVI yesterday visited the Ministry of Religious Affairs, his statements were interpreted by many as being a sort of apology for his speech in Germany earlier in the year. Calling Islam a “religion of peace,” the Pope said the basis of Islam was tightly woven with science and intellect.
Erdogan mentions murder of Priest Santoro
In meeting with President Sezer at Cankaya Palace in Ankara, the Pope heard Sezer’s worries about EU treatment of Turkey during the accession process, as well as Sezer’s assertions on the unfair treatment of Northern Cyprus. Sezer also gave Benedict XVI two different books on the history of the Northern Cypriots and the founding of that republic. Earlier, in his meeting with Erdogan, Benedict XVI assured the PM of his support for the alliance of civilizations, and told Erdogan that he wanted to see the latest declaration from his international alliances project. Erdogan also took time to tell the Pope that the murder at the beginning of the year of Italian priest Andrea Santoro had “wounded Ankara deeply,” to which the Pope assured the PM that the Vatican viewed the incident as “an isolated event.”
World media interprets Pope’s visit to Turkey
The eyes of the world media are trained on Turkey this week, as Pope Benedict XVI enters into the second day of his historic 4 day visit to this country. Most of the focus appears to be on the messages of peace and dialogue-building issued by the Pope, with international news agency Reuters noting that the Pope called for the development of reciprocal understanding between Muslims and Christians even during his plane ride to Ankara.
While Reuters noted that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said that the Pope assured him of support for Turkey’s EU bid, the international AP press agency asserted that the Vatican had not confirmed this. The French news agency AFP underlined in its coverage that Prime Minister Erdogan had made an big diplomatic gesture by deciding to greet the Pope on the apron at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport.
Pope Benedict XVI leaves Ankara, heads for Selcuk
Arriving yesterday in Ankara as the official guest of Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Pope Benedict XVI left this morning from the capital for Izmir. After spending last night at Ankara’s Vatican Embassy, Pope Benedict XVI arrived this morning early at Esenboga Airport, which was under tight security.
Resting for awhile in Esenboga’s VIP Salon, the Pope commented on his talks with both Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Sezer, calling them “important and positive meetings.” The Pope is scheduled to give a mass at Selcuk’s Virgin Mary Church this morning, after which he will come to Istanbul and visit the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Fener. The Catholic leader will spend the night in Istanbul, and will take part in a special mass at the Fener Patriarchate tomorrow. He will also visit the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque tomorrow. On Friday, Pope Benedict XVI will give a mass at Istanbul’s Saint Esprit Cathedral, and will leave Turkey in the afternoon.
Texts and pictures are taken from the domestic press Hurriyet Newspaper – 2006
Benedict XVI turns to Mecca at Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet
Pope Benedict XVI stood in silent meditation in one of Turkeys most famous mosques Thursday in a dramatic gesture of outreach to Muslims after outrage from the pontiffs remarks linking violence and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. The pope, accompanied by an Islamic cleric, bowed his head for nearly a minute inside the 17th century Blue Mosque in only the second papal visit to a Muslim place of worship. Benedicts predecessor, John Paul II, visited a mosque in Syria in 2001.The mosque visit was added to Benedicts schedule as a “sign of respect” during his first papal trip to a Muslim nation, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, a Vatican spokesman, said last week. The pope removed his shoes before entering the carpeted expanse of the mosque, which is officially known as the Sultan Ahmet Mosque after the Ottoman sultan Ahmet I, who ordered its construction. But its widely called the Blue Mosque after its elaborate blue tiles. The pope has offered wide-ranging messages of reconciliation to Muslims since arriving in Turkey on Tuesday, including appeals for greater understanding and support for Turkeys steps to become the first Muslim nation in the European Union. But Benedict also has set down his own demands. After a deeply symbolic display of unity with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the worlds Christian Orthodox, the pope again repeated his calls for greater freedoms for religious minorities and described the divisions among Christians – including the nearly 1,000-year rift between Catholics and Orthodox – as a “scandal to the world.”
The Pope arrives in Istanbul, attends mass at Fener Patriarchate
Pope Benedict XVI arrived yesterday in Istanbul from Izmir, and went to the Fener Greek Patriarchate’s Aya Yorgi Church, where he took part in a special mass held in honor of his visitation. Speaking after the mass, the Pope said “I would like to say that this brotherly reception by the ecumenical Patriarchate is something I appreciate, and will carry always in my heart. I thank God that we have been blessed with this meeting, which is so meaningful and filled with good intentions.” The Pope touched on the relations between the Catholic and Orthodox churches, and noted how grateful he was to be in Istanbul at this time: “I am very thankful to be on this soil, which is so connected to Christianity, and which was home in ancient ages to so many churches.”
Pope Benedict XVI at the Church of the Virgin Mary
Pope Benedict XVI left Ankara yesterday, following official meetings with both Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, and headed for Izmir’s Selcuk province, where he led a mass at the Church of the Virgin Mary. Speaking after the mass, Pope Benedict XVI borrowed from words spoken years ago by Pope Johannes XXIII, who said “I love the Turks, and admire their natural qualities.” After his speech in Selcuk, the Pope waved the Turkish flags for crowds who had come to see him. Yesterday’s mass at the Church of the Virgin Mary in Selcuk was attended by an estimated 550 people, including guests from Sri Lanka, the Virgin Islands, the US, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Turkey. Speaking after the opening prayers at the mass, which lasted for 1.5 hours, the Pope mentioned two of his predecessors who had visited the same Church of the Virgin Mary, Pope Paul VI, and Pope John Paul II. He also talked about Pope Johannes XXIII, who before becoming Pope, had been the papal representative in Turkey between January 1935 and December 1944. Recalling Pope Johannes XXIII’s good relations with Turks and Turkey, Pope Benedict XVI yesterday repeated words from Pope Johannes XXIII: “I love the Turks, and I admire their natural qualities.” The Pope also talked about the importance he attached to the position Turkey holds in the world as a bridge between cultures: “As a bridge between continents, it is critical that peace and well-being live in harmony on this soil.”
At the end of his 8 minute talk, which the Pope delivered in Italian, he spoke his final words in Turkish: “Aziz Meryem, bizim icin dua et,” or “Holy Mary, pray for us.”
Texts and pictures are taken from the domestic press Hurriyet Newspaper – 2006
Pope: Leaving part of my heart in Istanbul
Pope Benedict XVI said here Friday that he hoped his four-day visit to Turkey would contribute to a “better understanding” between religions. The Pope, who said he was “leaving part of my heart in Istanbul,” was speaking to Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler minutes before boarding a Turkish Airlines plane for Rome at the end of his first visit to a Muslim country.
His words were heard over Turkish television, which was broadcasting the event live.
“As head of the Catholic Church and spiritual leader, it is my duty (to work for) dialogue and a better understanding between religions, particularly Islam and Christianity,” Benedict XVI said. “I will consider myself happy if my trip has contributed to this.”
The Pope leads mass at Istanbul’s Saint Esprit before departing Turkey
On the final day of his visit to Turkey, Pope Benedict XVI led a mass at Istanbul’s Saint Esprit Cathedral in Beyoglu, where he was joined by a mass of worshippers, as well as by Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos, as well as Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II. At the entrance to the church, Pope Benedict XVI sent doves to symobolize peace aloft in the air.
Resounding echo from Pope’s mosque prayer in foreign press
Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Istanbul, and in particular his stopping to pray in Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet Mosque, known popularly as the Blue Mosque, was covered widely in the foreign press yesterday. Many newspapers outside of Turkey analyzed the Pope’s actions as being “previously unseen,” and a “first,” and just as his assertion of support to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan played out in the international press as a “flash news” item, the Pope’s prayers yesterday in one of Turkey’s most prominent and important mosques were also delivered as “flash” news across the globe.
Some of the headlines in newspapers across the world were as follows:
El Pais (Spain): A gesture never seen before
El Mundo (Spain): The mosque prayer a symbol of the papal visit
The Guardian (UK): The Pope and the Muftu pray together
The Daily Telegraph: Trying to win over the hearts of Muslims
The Independent: The Pope completes his Turkey tour with visit to mosque
The Times: Historic gesture
Le Monde (France): Papal diplomacy
Le Figaro (France): Turning towards Mecca, he put an end to the argument
Extra security precautions for Pope disrupt daily life in Istanbul
Istanbul’s Chief of Police, Celalettin Cerrah, commented yesterday on the disruption to Istanbul residents’ daily life resulting from the extraordinary security precautions taken due to the papal visit this week, noting “In every country in the world, there are precautions taken when such visitors arrive. Istanbul’s residents are sensitive to this fact.”
Walking to work
Yesterday morning, due to the closures of the very central Istanbul boulevards of Halaskargazi, Cumhuriyet and Tarlabasi in order to allow the passage of the papal convoy, thousands of people reached their homes and work places on foot.
Close control
Pope Benedict XVI arrived at the Vatican residence on Harbiye’s Olcek Sokak only after close control and careful searches of homes and businesses in the surrounding area.
Municipality street cleaners out in force
Street cleaners working for the Sisli Municipality swept through the area around the Pope’s residence prior to his arrival, cleaning and gathering all of the leaves which had fallen from the trees.
Sharp shooters on the roofs
Sharp shooters were placed by security forces on the roofs of buildings surrounding the Armenian Patriarchate yesterday, with additional security support provided by a police helicopter from above.
Pope Benedict XVI tours Hagia Sophia, prays in Blue Mosque
Pope Benedict XVI yesterday in Istanbul put an end to weeks of speculation in the Turkish press over whether or not he would pray in the Hagia Sophia museum. Instead of stopping to pray in the ancient Byzantine church, the Pope chose to pray in Istanbul’s formidable Blue Mosque, turning to face Mecca alongside his Turkish host, Minister of Religious Affairs, Ali Bardakoglu.
Pope Benedict’s stance, with his hands folded in the proper Muslim prayer position, was immediately relayed as “flash” news across international media sources.
The Pope was greeted on his entrance to the Blue Mosque by the Muftu of Istanbul, Mustafa Cagrici, as well as the Muftu of Eminonu, Muharrem Bilgic. The Catholic leader removed his shoes at the door to the mosque, and placed some slippers especially prepared for him by Vatican aides on his feet.
Muftu Mustafa Cagrici accompanied the Pope around the mosque, explaining the ceiling decorative tiles, the mihrap and the minber’s functions, and then inviting the Catholic leader to join him in “peaceful moment” at the front of the mosque, facing the kible which itself faces Mecca. The Pope joined Cagrici, folding his hands before him in imitation of Cagrici’s actions, and prayed.
