Popemobile gives way to armoured car on visit to 'minefield' (Religion of Peace Alert)

The Times of London ^ | November 27, 2006 | Richard Owen

[Zakeet]

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.

[DB]

Can they really trust the people in their special forces?

I wouldn't.

[wildcatf4f3]

F Turkey and the mule it rode in on

[mkjessup]

Officials have also drawn up contingency plans for him to wear a bulletproof vest beneath his papal vestments

One Islamofascist sniper with the crosshairs lined up between the eyes of Pope Benedict XVI would make that a moot point.

Prayers for his safety.

[Biggirl]

Prayers for the Pope's safety. Did you read up that there was a protest yesterday? These folks have nothing better to do.

[Global2010]

Roll in the Tanks, of peace!
Prayers up for our Holy Father.
2006 years of lineage.

[ClaireSolt]

So far most Muslims cannot shoot. This scenario is a shame.

[Brad C.]

I always find a more than a little irony in these types of situations. After all here you have a man who the church says is the most holiest man on earth and who has placed his absolute trust in God and yet needs to protect himself with armored cars and bullet proof vests.

I know, things happen, but wouldn't it actually be the will of God if something should happen to the Pope? So a better question would be who does the Pope trust?

I guess I will go find my flame suit.....

[DTogo]

Ditto!

[FreedomOfExpression]

After all here you have a man who the church says is the most holiest man on earth and who has placed his absolute trust in God and yet needs to protect himself with armored cars and bullet proof vests.

Matthew 4:5-7 answers your question.
This is when Jesus was tempted (probably not much) to throw himself off the battlement of the temple because, Satan said, God's angels would protect him. Jesus said something along the lines of: "It is written you are not to put God to the test".
Christians are not to do stupid things and expect God's protection.

[NYer]

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.

He will be the second Pope to set foot in a mosque, after John Paul II in Damascus in 2001.

In a reciprocal gesture Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish Prime Minister, indicated that he would “find time” after all to meet the Pope tomorrow at Ankara airport. He insisted that his absence during the Pope’s trip because of a Nato summit in Riga was not a “snub”. The Pope was “welcome” in Turkey, “but whoever comes here must show respect for the Prophet Muhammad”.

Catholic Ping
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[trisham]

Behind the scenes Vatican and Italian security forces have planned for the worst

***************

May God be with them.

[brazzaville]

Good morning.

Perhaps the pope should wear a Kevlar and ceramic mitre.

Michael Frazier

[Aquinasfan]

The Pope was “welcome” in Turkey, “but whoever comes here must show respect for the Prophet Muhammad”.

Yeah, Turkey is a secular state. Sure.

[Aquinasfan]

I always find a more than a little irony in these types of situations. After all here you have a man who the church says is the most holiest man on earth and who has placed his absolute trust in God and yet needs to protect himself with armored cars and bullet proof vests.

I know, things happen, but wouldn't it actually be the will of God if something should happen to the Pope? So a better question would be who does the Pope trust?

Such behavior would represent an error of presumption. Should unarmed Christians expect to walk through battlefields without getting shot?

Matthew 4:5-7

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:

" 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" blockquote> Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" (Deuteronomy 6:16)

[RobbyS]

But Turkey is a secular state, right? ;-).