Pope's olive branch to the Orthodox Greek Orthodox hardliners oppose the papal visit Pope John Paul II has asked for forgiveness for Roman Catholic sins against the Orthodox faith during his controversial visit to Greece. He asked God to pardon sins committed during the last 1,000 years since the two churches split, in particular the sacking of Constantinople by Catholic Crusaders in 1204. The archbishop applauded the Pope's speech, and the two men embraced. Orthodox monks had staged protests before the visit and the Pope's welcoming committee was marked by an absence of any member of the Orthodox Church.
Nationalists depose emperors.
Crusaders sack city, divide spoils with Venetians Later on Friday, the Archbishop will join the Pope on a visit to the hillside where St Paul preached to Athenians in the first century. A church spokesman said no joint prayers or theological discussions would be held. On Saturday the Pope will lead religious services in a covered stadium before travelling to the airport to continue his trip. He will be attempting to reach out to other faiths in his next stop - Damascus, the scene of St Paul's conversion, where he will become the first pope to set foot inside a mosque. The Vatican says it will be the first time that Muslims and Christians have prayed together in an organised way.