Istanbul  - Celebrations to mark the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of St Paul began Saturday in Tarsus, Turkey, the birthplace of the evangelist and author of much of the Christian New Testament.

A prayer was given in the historic Church of St Paul to start the Year of St Paul declared by Pope Benedict XVI, which officially begins June 29 and is expected to bring Christian pilgrims to Turkey throughout the year.

The 12th century church was confiscated by the government in 1943 and was used for decades as an army storehouse before being made into a museum. Christians are allowed to worship there, but must not leave anything in the building.

Germany's Cardinal Joachim Meisner has called for the construction of a Christian church and a pilgrim centre in Tarsus, but the Turkish government has not replied.

"Whoever comes here should visit us as a pilgrim and not a tourist," said Bishop Luigi Padovese, who is responsible for the region's Catholics. "So everyone who travels to Tarsus should be a witness to the Turkish people to show that there are also Christian people that have a strong faith and are committed to it."

The pilgrims could also encourage Turkish Christians, who are not recognized by the government, Padovese said.

"Because we are not yet legally recognized that leads to negative consequences for us," he said.

Cardinal Walter Kasper represented the Vatican at Saturday's event. (dpa)