Two months after the pope touched off fury across the Islamic world with remarks linking violence and Prophet Muhammad, the Turkish prime minister — in a last-minute change of plans — was on hand at the airport in Turkey's capital to ask him what he had said.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded an answer at the foot of the plane.

"I want to express amazement at seeing you and your delegation in our country," Erdogan told the pope before meeting with him privately. He described the pope's visit as "very confusing."

The outcome depends partly on the words and gestures of Benedict, who triggered an outcry in September when he quoted a 14th century Christian emperor who characterized the Prophet Muhammad's teachings as "evil and inhuman."