Pope visits Turkey mosque

Benedict XVI, who became the second pope in history8212; after John Paul II in Damascus in 20018212; to set foot in a Muslim house of worship, made the gesture at the suggestion of Istanbul Mufti Mustafa Cagrici, his guide for the occasion.

After explaining the basics of Muslim prayer to the pontiff during the early part of the tour, Cagrici said: 8220;Let us turn toward the Kiblah8221; 8212; the direction of Mecca. The pope complied. The two men, clad in long white robes, stood side by side and motionless for about two minutes, their hands crossed on their stomachs in a classical Muslim prayer attitude known as 8220;the posture of tranquillity.8221;

The pope remained with his eyes closed for about a minute, but did not repeat Cagrici8217;s gesture when the mufti wiped his face with the palms of his hands, signalling the end of the prayer.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi took pains to explain to journalists afterwards that the pope had not actually prayed but was 8220;in meditation.8221;

The two men exchanged gifts, the pontiff first presenting Cagrici with a mosaic representing doves and saying: 8220;This picture is meant as a message of fraternity 8212;a souvenir of this visit that I will certainly never forget.8221;

Benedict XVI received an Ottoman calligraphy that read: 8220;In the name of Allah the merciful8221; 8212;also in the form of a dove.