Someone to watch over him

APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI TO TURKEY
(NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 1, 2006)

Yesterday at least 20,000 muslim demonstrators protested against the Pope's arrival tomorrow at a rally in Istanbul.

His Holiness will defy death threats and security fears on his four day visit.

Muslim anger arises from misunderstandings over the Pope's quotation from a 14th century Byzantine emperor claiming muslims are "evil and inhumane", his attitude towards Turkey's application to join the European Community, and a recent visit to the vatican by the Greek Cypriot President.

From all this you could be forgiven for not realising that the main intention of the visit is closer relations between the Catholic and Orthodox churches. There are annual exchange visits from Istanbul to Rome for the Feast of SS Peter and Paul and from Rome to Istanbul for the Feast of St Andrew.

Saint Andrew (Greek: Ανδρέας Andreas, "manly"), called in the Orthodox tradition Protocletos, or the First-called, is a Christian Apostle, brother of Saint Peter.

Traditionally, he became the first bishop of Byzantium in 38, a position which would later become Patriarch of Constantinople.
He is said to have suffered crucifixion at Patras (Patrae) in Achaea, on a cross of the form called Crux decussata (X-shaped cross) and commonly known as "St. Andrew's cross." St. Andrew is the patron of Patras. According to tradition his relics were removed from Patras to Constantinople, and thence to St. Andrews .

Acknowledging the trip's danger, the Pope has invoked the "celestial protection2 of John xxiii, who was the apostolic delegate in Turkey for 10 years. He added: "I ask you all to accompany me in prayer that this pilgrimage can bring about all the fruits which God desires." We can say "Amen" to that whilst thanking God for a Pope willing to confront Islam with the Gospel of Christ. Janet Daley, in today's Telegraph, is more blunt: "We are in a war to the death - craven concessions won't win it" is her opinion. The global ambitions of Islam must be confronted by the world mission of Christianity. "The truth shall make you free".