There is little to this, but much will probably be made of it. From Reuters, with thanks to all who sent this in:
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Reuters) — Pope Benedict wound up a fence-mending visit to Turkey on Friday amid praise from the local press for visiting Istanbul’s Blue Mosque and praying towards Mecca “like Muslims”.
The pope, who sparked protests across the Muslim world with a speech two months ago seen as criticizing Islam, looked relaxed and pleased as he entered the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit for a mass at the end of the sensitive four-day trip. (Full story)
His first visit to a mostly Muslim country, held under tight security for fear of protests by nationalists and Islamists, was highlighted by a series of conciliatory gestures culminating in a stop on Thursday afternoon in Istanbul’s famed Blue Mosque.
“The Pope’s dreaded visit was concluded with a wonderful surprise,” wrote daily Aksam on its front page.
“In Sultan Ahmet Mosque, he turned towards Mecca and prayed like Muslims,” popular daily Hurriyet said, using the building’s official name.