He made it

Perhaps I shouldn't have worried about his safety.

I think the Gulf Times is playing it up a bit about the part of the Pope
facing Mecca. Seems he was standing next to the other fellow who said "I am
going to pray silently now a bit".

Anyway, whatever works for them I guess.

link

Istanbul/Rome: Pope Benedict ended a sensitive fence-mending visit to Turkey yesterday amid praise for visiting Istanbul's famed Blue Mosque and praying there facing towards Makkah.

The pope, who sparked protests across the Muslim world with a speech two months ago seen as criticising 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. Pope landed back in Rome yesterday from Istanbul.