Posted on 11/27/2006 8:16:03 AM PST by Rutles4Ever
THE POPE has refused repeated requests to wear a bullet-proof vest – as he heads into a cauldron of hate in Turkey this week.
Benedict XVI, who arrives in Ankara tomorrow, is making his first visit to a Muslim country since causing uproar with controversial remarks about the prophet Mohammed.
In Istanbul yesterday, 25,000 protesters demonstrated against Tuesday’s planned four-day visit. Now, Vatican security chiefs fear that the Pope could be a genuine target for murder.
Islamic groups have threatened to assassinate the Pope if he sets foot in Turkey – he was even warned to stay away by the Turk who tried to kill Pope John Paul II in 1981.
A Vatican source said: "Security staff suggested to the Holy Father that for safety’s sake he should consider wearing a bullet proof vest but he dismissed the idea immediately.
"The five cardinals accompanying him on the visit were advised to wear one but have also dismissed the idea.
"The protection teams are worried and are bringing in extra agents to look after him."
In September, the German-born pontiff quoted a Byzantine emperor who had described some Islamic teachings as "evil and inhumane" – particularly a "command to spread by the sword the faith".
At his Sunday midday service in Rome, the Pope told the congregation that he felt "deep emotion" over the coming trip.
He said: "I want to send a cordial greeting to the dear Turkish people, rich in history and culture. To these people and their representatives, I express feelings of esteem and sincere friendship."
But the Pope’s earlier remarks on Islam had set off a wave of anti-Vatican protests across the Muslim world, including Turkey.
He was recently warned by Mehmet Ali Agca – who shot the late Pope John Paul II in St Peter’s Square in Rome 25 years ago – to cancel the visit.
Agca, now in a Turkish jail for murdering a journalist, said: "As a man who knows these things, I say your life is in danger. Don’t come to Turkey."
Agca has never explained why he shot John Paul II – who visited him in jail, forgave him, and died last year. As the anti-Pope protest grew in Istanbul yesterday, 4,000 officers backed by riot trucks, armoured vehicles and helicopters kept watch.
The demonstration was organised by a pro-Islamic political party called Felicity whose leaders have said they were offended by Benedict’s comments. Protesters carried posters urging the Pope not to come.
More than 10,000 police will be on duty for the visit. The papal flight will be escorted by two Turkish fighters. Snipers will be on rooftops. Bomb disposal teams have been put on alert. And armed patrol boats will check the waters of the Bosphorus.
Unless the Islamakazi runs up and grabs you before setting himself off, that probably won't happen, making the fragments, nails, etc, the main threat, rather than the blast per se. Usually the lower body and head of the bomber him or herself survive the blast, more or less intact. Such has been the experience in Israel anyway.
With his impressive Kung Fu skills, the Pope doesn't need a stinking bullet proof vest.
Seriously though, I hope he reconsiders. This is just nuts.
"Isn't he the last pope ? .. or the last one before the end?"
Yup, right on schedule.
Grab the popcorn.
The Pope is going where angels fear to tread. I cannot think of anyone better prepared for death than the Pope.
How ironic!
Remember that the Pope gaved that speech the day after the 5th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Why not wear the vest?
It's just a practical decision about protecting his life, which is valuable to millions of Catholics.
Doesn't the pope-mobile have bulletproof glass?
I do believe that the great JPII and as well as the great communicator is praying in the Heavenly Kingdom for both the Pope and President Bush this week.
Please God, be with BXVI on this very special and risky trip. Amen
If Mohhamed himself were to go to Turkey, there would be mobs of Muslims that would want to kill him because he gave conflicting accounts about tolerating Jews.
I read that he will actually ride in a special armored limousine (with several decoy limos) rather than in the pope-mobile for this trip. Turkish security just felt it was too risky to have the open pope-mobile out there as a target.
Say what you want, he has guts.
I hope he calls for a Crusade!
Not good. We had better hope for some damned good security, and a little luck.
Wonder if his security detail, drivers, bystanders are as ready for death as the Pope.
I don't see things the way you do. Is offering himself up as a target for Muslims being a martyr? He's putting himself in harms way and it's not necessary. They don't WANT him there.
He may be the Pope, but to them, he is just another infidel. Anyone with an ounce of sense, wouldn't have a good feeling about this trip.
sw
could have waited until after his visit to reveal this...
Could have waited until after and then taunted them! "Hey guess what? I was wide open" hahahaha
You would be a mischievous pope, I don't think you are Pope material. It would be unseemly for the Pontiff to taunt Muslims.
Shame, shame!! I would enjoy the heck out of it if he did it but he won't.
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