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It's Joe here, blogging tonight's show that comes live from the top of a central hotel, with a clear view of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.

Rabiya is joined by a Turkish audience who are talking first about the second day of the Pope's tour of Turkey.

Ruzgar says he wants to welcome this man of faith, and Ruzgar's view is repeated by several members of the audience. You can call us on +44 20 70 83 72 72 and ask the audience in Turkey about their views.

"There's no fuss about this visit", says one audience member, "Michael Jackson and David Beckham have visited Istanbul too." There are clearly some security concerns, proven by the number of security people on the streets, but the audience don't feel there will be any more demonstrations against his visit. "We have 23 million tourists every year, Turkey is a bridge between Christian and Muslim worlds - we wouldn't want to upset this".

Attilla is calling from elsewhere in Istanbul: "The media hyped this issue a little too much. The was put on by a political party without a seat in parliament - they didn't show the view of the majority of Turks." As Diren puts it: "One drummer is enough to make a whole neighbourhood jump out of bed."

"It's a great tourist attraction - but he's also a great European intellectual."

Mathias has texted us: It is nice the Pope has made such an historical visit. John Paul was the first to forgive his shooter. So the Turkish should commend this visit.

Arjun, in Kenya: "I think that the Turkish people have really shown a welcoming attitude which is what they're known for."

Ahmed, in Nigeria: "Is the EU a regional economic group or a religious group? Turkey should try and guard it's sovereignty."

And an email from David in the United States:
Kamal Ataturk banned men wearing the fez in about 1923. In light of the Dutch last week and now perhaps the UK, among others, what do your guests have to say about Ataturk's success? Ataturk insisted on cutting links with the past that he considered anachronistic.

The EU is the other big talking point in Turkey. Does Turkey still want to join?

"Absolutely" says one audience member.

Our audience members are discussing - this is the sticking point, they say.

Artemis agrees from Cyprus: "Turkey can't join the Union so long as it doesn't recognise one member [Cyprus], and this is the most important part of the negotiations. Most muslims already in the EU are getting along fine with the Christians, so religion isn't the issue."

Diren, in the audience, responds: "Western states are hiding behind the Cyprus issue."

Korongo texts us from Kenya: "Forget joining Europe. The Turkish people are neglecting their religion."

Sebastian, texting says: "The issues of human rights and cyprus need to be addressed further. Its certainly not only a question of religion."

Suna is in Denmark: "Turkey should not join the EU, it should stop at the 'privileged relationship' status. It is too complicated for Turkey to join." The audience disagree: "We already have this, why shouldn't we have full status?"

Marion is in Austria: "We have already set some tasks for Turkey to fulfil, and they have done this: we can't now go back on this."

Suna refers to the French law on denying the Armenian genocide, which infuriated the government in Turkey, and the .

"Human rights, democracy, the future of Europe: you need to include Turkey in the debate", says an audience member.

"Why doesn't Austria support us?" asks an audience member. Marion replies: "We had a very right wing government, and views were carried on fear of foreigners. People always talked negatively about Turkey - people are scared about Turkey"

We've got onto the topic of secularism.

Mike, in the Netherlands: "I think Turkey should accede to the EU. But we are worried that they are not quite ready - the secular part is great, but I have reservations about the non-secular parts and the large muslim population."

Diren, in Istanbul: "Talking about secularism - what is the Pope doing making political points about the EU?'

Another audience member says "Secularism is not about the individual but about the law. You can still have religious people".

Isabelle emails us from Belgium: "I am very much in favour of Turkey's EU membership, but I have a huge problem with the denial of the Armenian genocide. I couldn't stand Turkey joining the EU without a full recognition of that tragedy."

Joe, Los Angeles By the comments and tone of the voices of Turkish citizens, the Pope's visit has already had a positive effect. For those who keep saying that nothing will come of his visit, get over it.

Bill, Cleveland, Ohio - USA I understand that if a person in Turkey becomes a Christian they are likely to be prosecuted under Turkish Civil Law. Is this true? How can Turkey claim to be Secular and Western with this kind of law? A person in France or England or the US can become a Moslem any time they want. Why do Islamic countries starting with Turkey (but much worse in other Islamic countries) discriminate against all other religions?

Onto our next topic - a poll in Britain has showed that a majority of British people would like a ban on the veil in public places.

"The British should look at the Turkish solution - you can wear a headscarf in normal places, but not in a secular place like university or school."

A couple of UK callers are talking about the poll. They're talking about the problems that arise from covering the whole face. But the audience in Turkey aren't happy - one member compares the fear of muslims to the fear of the jews in Nazi Germany.

Dan has emailed from California: "We in the west are fighting ideological and real wars with islam. We keep telling them we offer freedom of religion and expression yet we now tell them they can't wear the veil. How is that tolerant of their beliefs?"