Pope considering visit to a mosque during Turkey trip: Report

Pope Benedict XVI is considering stopping briefly at Istanbul`s blue mosque during next week`s trip to Turkey, the Vatican`s spokesman said today.

Rome, Nov 25: Pope Benedict XVI is considering stopping briefly at Istanbul's blue mosque during next week's trip to Turkey, the Vatican's spokesman said today.
The trip will be Benedict's first to a Muslim nation and comes at a time of heightened tensions between the west and Islam. Authorities predict massive protests against the
pontiff, who angered Muslims with recent comments about Islam and violence.

"I can confirm that the possibility of a brief stop at the mosque following a visit to the (Haghia Sophia) museum is being examined," Vatican Spokesman Federico Lombardi said.

Asked whether the visit would be meant as a gesture of goodwill toward Islam, Lombardi replied, "it certainly is a sign of respect."

It would be the first time benedict visits a mosque as pope. His predecessor, Pope John Paul II, visited a mosque in Damascus, Syria, in 2001 - a papal first.

Although the official focus of the Pope's trip is his scheduled meeting with Greek orthodox patriarch Bartholomew I, the Istanbul-based leader of the world's orthodox Christians, Benedict is widely expected to use his first visit to a Muslim country to improve relations with Muslims.

Bureau Report

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