Thousands Gather In Istanbul To Protest Pope
A banner on a bridge in Istanbul hung in October reads, 'We don't want the pope in Turkey' (epa)
The demonstrators -- Reuters news agency puts the number at 20,000 -- were watched closely by around 4,000 police backed by riot trucks and armored vehicles.
The protest was organized by a pro-Islamic political party, called Felicity, whose leaders have said they are offended by Benedict's comments linking violence and Islam.
(Reuters, AP)