After Islam, Pope takes reconciliation to Orthodox

Benedict and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual head of the world's 250 million Orthodox, both want to take steps to heal the split dating from the Great Schism of 1054.

In a gesture showing their close ties, Bartholomew took the unusual step of welcoming the Pope at Istanbul airport as he arrived from saying mass in Ephesus in southwestern Turkey.

Benedict, who earlier on Wednesday visited a house near Ephesus said to be where the Virgin Mary died, won widespread praise in local media for backing Ankara's bid to join the European Union and saying Islam was a peaceful faith.

The Iraqi wing of al Qaeda was not pleased, however. It said on a website his visit was part of a crusade against Islam aimed at pulling Turkey out of the Muslim world and into "the quagmire of secularism".

The Vatican spokesman said neither the Pope nor his entourage are worried but that al Qaeda's message confirmed the urgent need for a common commitment against the use of violence.

At a solemn service at the Orthodox Patriarchate, Benedict and Bartholomew lit candles and exchanged words of welcome amid ringing church bells as police sharpshooters stood on roofs and helicopters flew overhead in a massive security operation.

Security was so tight that an armored personal carrier trailed the papal motorcade from the airport to the center of Istanbul, known as Constantinople when it was the capital of the Byzantine Empire.

The leader of 1.1 billion Roman Catholics must walk a fine line to avoid upsetting the Turks, some of whom suspect Bartholomew -- who is a Greek Orthodox -- of being a tool of their old rival Greece.

Some Turkish commentators debated whether the Pope was in Turkey to strengthen the influence of Christians at the expense of the country's secularist system.

Turkey, a predominantly Muslim nation that is officially secular, has seen nationalism rise as general elections approach next year and its politicians and media will be wary of any sign that Benedict's visit could bolster Bartholomew's standing.

"This is a big warning for conservative politicians who think the EU is a Christian club," wrote Milliyet newspaper columnist Guneri Civaoglu. Reuters