” “"Another fact that should not be underestimated explains to SIR the secretary of the Turkish Bishops is the visit that Benedict XVI will pay to the Blue Mosque, as well as Saint Sophia, which also defuses the attempted speculations that some in Turkey were already trying to engineer, by accusing the Pope of the ‘Christian restoration’ of the ancient basilica. These are gestures of great humility on the part of the Pontiff, which are very consistent with the gesture of going to the mausoleum of Ataturk and to Alì Bardakoglu, in charge of the Department of Religious Affairs, Dyanet. Along with the big preparations, the small, local church communities are getting ready too, as they are "anxiously looking forward to meeting Pope Benedict. "Over one hundred boys and girls from our parishes and groups reveals father Pesce have organised a serenade for the Pope in the courtyard of the nunciature in Istanbul, with songs and prayers. And again boys and girls, mostly Muslims, will welcome the Pope with a German song on December 1st as he enters the cathedral of the Holy Spirit. They are he concludes student of the Lazarist school".” “
