Hindu fundamentalists in India have seized on Pope John Paul the Second's visit to Delhi on Friday to protest against conversions of Hindus to Christianity.

Supporters of fundamentalist Hindu groups have held rallies to press their demands.

They say poor, often illiterate and lower caste Hindus are told that if they convert, they will be able to get medical treatment from Christian hospitals and education for their children at church-run schools.

The fundamentalists are also demanding an apology from the Pope for the oppression of Hindus by Portuguese Catholics 400 years ago.

The protests have been small, but they have raised fears that the Pope's visit may exacerbate religious and communal tensions. Earlier this year, a number of churches in different parts of India were attacked and burned.

The gruesome murder of an Australian missionary in Orissa in January shocked India and the world.

But the Archbishop of Delhi, Alan de Lastic, said the Pope's visit would help reconciliation. "The Holy Father is a messenger of peace and harmony. Wherever he goes, I don't think he will cause any dissension," he said. The Pope's public mass in Delhi on Sunday will coincide with the Hindu festival of light, Diwali.

Just as Hindus light oil lamps and candles at Diwali to celebrate the triumph of good over evil, lamps will be lit during the mass.