...that’s the whole point of the article.
“Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said the pope did not pray during his visit to the mosque but did stop in a “respectful moment of reflection.” He was not asked to take his shoes off when he entered the mosque, which is customary for Muslims, said Lombardi.”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090509/ap_on_re_mi_ea/pope_mideast
You either believe a reporter from UPI or you believe the Vatican spokesman. Which is it?