"Popemobile gives way to armoured car on visit to 'minefield'"

The UK Times reports:

The Vatican is so anxious about the Pope's safety during his trip to Turkey this week that it has vetoed use of the traditional "Popemobile".

Instead, Pope Benedict XVI will travel in an armour-plated car, with several similar vehicles used as decoys, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the former papal spokesman, said.

Officials have also drawn up contingency plans for him to wear a bulletproof vest beneath his papal vestments as Turkish authorities mount a huge security operation including rooftop snipers, special forces, helicopters and navy speedboats.

Before his first visit to a Muslim country, the Pope tried to defuse further protests yesterday, sending "cordial greetings" of "esteem and sincere friendship" to "the dear Turkish people" when he addressed pilgrims from his window above St Peter's Square during Angelus prayers.

Papal aides confirmed that, in a conciliatory gesture to Muslims, the Pope had altered his official programme to include a visit to the Blue Mosque, or Sultanahmet, in Istanbul.

...

Cardinal Walter Kasper, the head of the pontifical Council for Christian Unity, one of five cardinals accompanying the Pope, conceded that the trip had become a "minefield".

Behind the scenes Vatican and Italian security forces have planned for the worst, with agents joining Turkish police in checking security arrangements in Ankara, Istanbul and Ephesus, the main stops on the Pope's tour.

Video surveillance cameras have been installed around key buildings, including the Holy See embassy in Ankara, where the Pope will stay on the first night of his trip after paying respects at the Mausoleum of Ataturk. Turkish police appealed for restraint at planned protests, saying that they could harm the image of Turkey.

While I'm happy to hear that these precautions (and many more, I'm sure) are in the works, it is deeply disturbing to see how much needs to be done and how palpable is the danger to our Holy Father. On this trip there is no such thing as "ensuring the Pontiff's safety." There simply isn't.

After all, what suicidal Islamic terrorist wouldn't expect himself to be acclaimed by so many in his religion if he were to assasinate the Pope? It is this warped frame of mind that is especially disturbing on the eve of the trip.

Today is the first day of the KoC's "Spiritual Pilgrimage with Pope Benedict XVI" to pray for his safety and the success of his mission. I'll be praying it and urge fellow papist readers to do the same:

Heavenly Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name, we humbly ask that you sustain, inspire, and protect your servant, Pope Benedict XVI, as he goes on pilgrimage to Turkey – a land to which St. Paul brought the Gospel of your Son; a land where once the Mother of your Son, the Seat of Wisdom, dwelt; a land where faith in your Son’s true divinity was definitively professed. Bless our Holy Father, who comes as a messenger of truth and love to all people of faith and good will dwelling in this land so rich in history. In the power of the Holy Spirit, may this visit of the Holy Father bring about deeper ties of understanding, cooperation, and peace among Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, and those who profess Islam. May the prayers and events of these historic days greatly contribute both to greater accord among those who worship you, the living and true God, and also to peace in our world so often torn apart by war and sectarian violence.

We also ask, O Heavenly Father, that you watch over and protect Pope Benedict and entrust him to the loving care of Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Fatima, a title cherished both by Catholics and Muslims. Through her prayers and maternal love, may Pope Benedict be kept safe from all harm as he prays, bears witness to the Gospel, and invites all peoples to a dialogue of faith, reason, and love. We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Update: Dom discusses an unconfirmed report that Turkish forces have defeated an attempt to kill Cardinal Kasper.

Update 2: Diogenes reminds us of this, from the Enchiridion of Indulgences:

A partial indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who, in a spirit of filial devotion, devoutly recite any duly approved prayer for the Supreme Pontiff (e.g., the Oremus pro Pontifice):

V. Let us pray for our Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI.

R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and bless him upon earth, and deliver him not to the will of his enemies.