ERDOGAN WELCOMED POPE IN PERSON

PanARMENIAN.Net
28.11.2006 18:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in the Turkish capital
of Ankara on his first visit to a predominantly Muslim country amid
very tight security measures. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, whose party has Islamic origins, welcomed the Pontiff soon
after he disembarked the plane. Erdogan and Pope Benedict then entered
the VIP Hall at the airport and had a brief meeting.

Five archbishops and five cardinals will accompany Benedict XVI during
the papal visit. The four-day visit to Turkey is his first one to
a predominantly Muslim country as Pope. He arrived in Turkey at the
invitation of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Thousands of law-enforcers
and snipers are invited to secure the Pope during his visit. Besides,
the authorities intend to use a false motorcade, which will move
in the city without the Pope. Authorities say nothing will threaten
the Pontiff.

Benedict XVI will be the second Pope visiting a mosque. Besides,
the Pontiff will meet with Muslim and Judaic leaders, as well as
heads of Christian communities of Turkey, reports BBC Russian service.