Pope Benedict XVI said today the Vatican wishes to “impose nothing on anyone” in a parting message of goodwill to Muslims at the end of his first papal trip to an Islamic nation.

Pope Benedict XVI prayed beside an Islamic cleric in one of Turkey’s most famous mosques today in a dramatic gesture of outreach to Muslims, after causing outrage with remarks linking violence and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.

Pope Benedict XVI called divisions among Christians a “scandal to the world” and recalled the faith's deep roots in Europe at a joint ceremony in Istanbul today with the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians at his ancient enclave.

Pope Benedict XVI began his first visit to a Muslim country today with a message of dialogue and “brotherhood” between faiths and Turkey’s chief Islamic cleric said at a joint appearance that growing “Islamophobia” hurts all Muslims.

Turkish security teams are in position around the cities of Ankara and Istanbul today, as Pope Benedict XVI begins his first visit to a predominantly Muslim country.

CHANTING Islamist slogans and brandishing banners against Western intervention in the Middle East, thousands of people have rallied in Turkey to denounce the visit of Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Benedict XVI pressed his desire to see Christians fully united today as he greeted an Orthodox Christian delegation at the start of a ceremony marking the feast of St Peter and St Paul.

After extending a hand to other Christians, Jews and “nonbelievers,” Pope Benedict XVI made a meeting with religious leaders his first public appointment today.

Pope Benedict XVI thanked journalists today for their coverage during the “historical” events of the papal transition.

The Christian Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria was killed today when an army helicopter that was transporting him and his entourage to a monastic enclave in northern Greece crashed in the sea, government and church officials said.