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Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Istanbul
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Rep Power: 4  |  Pope's historical visit to Turkey
   Quote: Pope Benedict XVI states support for Turkish EU bid to Sezer, Erdogan
Pope Benedict XVI, who arrived yesterday in Ankara for the start of his historic visit to Turkey, began the day with a gesture aimed at supporting Turkey's bid for EU accession. Though he had been known to speak out before becoming Pope against Turkish accession to the EU, Benedict XVI yesterday in talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Ahmet Necdet Sezer asserted his support for Turkey's quest, telling Sezer "There is a place in the EU for Turkey."
To Erdogan, the Pope said "In order to see different civilizations, beliefs, and cultures living side by side, we want to see Turkey in the EU."
Benedict: Islam a religion of peace
Meanwhile, when Benedict XVI yesterday visited the Ministry of Religious Affairs, his statements were interpreted by many as being a sort of apology for his speech in Germany earlier in the year. Calling Islam a "religion of peace," the Pope said the basis of Islam was tightly woven with science and intellect.
Erdogan mentions murder of Priest Santoro
In meeting with President Sezer at Cankaya Palace in Ankara, the Pope heard Sezer's worries about EU treatment of Turkey during the accession process, as well as Sezer's assertions on the unfair treatment of Northern Cyprus. Sezer also gave Benedict XVI two different books on the history of the Northern Cypriots and the founding of that republic. Earlier, in his meeting with Erdogan, Benedict XVI assured the PM of his support for the alliance of civilizations, and told Erdogan that he wanted to see the latest declaration from his international alliances project. Erdogan also took time to tell the Pope that the murder at the beginning of the year of Italian priest Andrea Santoro had "wounded Ankara deeply," to which the Pope assured the PM that the Vatican viewed the incident as "an isolated event."
| Quote: Pope Benedict XVI at the Church of the Virgin Mary
Pope Benedict XVI left Ankara yesterday, following official meetings with both Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, and headed for Izmir's Selcuk province, where he led a mass at the Church of the Virgin Mary.
Speaking after the mass, Pope Benedict XVI borrowed from words spoken years ago by Pope Johannes XXIII, who said "I love the Turks, and admire their natural qualities." After his speech in Selcuk, the Pope waved the Turkish flags for crowds who had come to see him.
Yesterday's mass at the Church of the Virgin Mary in Selcuk was attended by an estimated 550 people, including guests from Sri Lanka, the Virgin Islands, the US, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Turkey. Speaking after the opening prayers at the mass, which lasted for 1.5 hours, the Pope mentioned two of his predecessors who had visited the same Church of the Virgin Mary, Pope Paul VI, and Pope John Paul II. He also talked about Pope Johannes XXIII, who before becoming Pope, had been the papal representative in Turkey between January 1935 and December 1944. Recalling Pope Johannes XXIII's good relations with Turks and Turkey, Pope Benedict XVI yesterday repeated words from Pope Johannes XXIII: "I love the Turks, and I admire their natural qualities." The Pope also talked about the importance he attached to the position Turkey holds in the world as a bridge between cultures: "As a bridge between continents, it is critical that peace and well-being live in harmony on this soil."
At the end of his 8 minute talk, which the Pope delivered in Italian, he spoke his final words in Turkish: "Aziz Meryem, bizim icin dua et," or "Holy Mary, pray for us."
| Quote: The Pope arrives in Istanbul, attends mass at Fener Patriarchate
Pope Benedict XVI arrived yesterday in Istanbul from Izmir, and went to the Fener Greek Patriarchate's Aya Yorgi Church, where he took part in a special mass held in honor of his visitation. Speaking after the mass, the Pope said "I would like to say that this brotherly reception by the ecumenical Patriarchate is something I appreciate, and will carry always in my heart. I thank God that we have been blessed with this meeting, which is so meaningful and filled with good intentions."
The Pope touched on the relations between the Catholic and Orthodox churches, and noted how grateful he was to be in Istanbul at this time: "I am very thankful to be on this soil, which is so connected to Christianity, and which was home in ancient ages to so many churches."
| Quote:
Pope Benedict XVI yesterday in Istanbul put an end to weeks of speculation in the Turkish press over whether or not he would pray in the Hagia Sophia museum. Instead of stopping to pray in the ancient Byzantine church, the Pope chose to pray in Istanbul's formidable Blue Mosque, turning to face Mecca alongside his Turkish host, Minister of Religious Affairs, Ali Bardakoglu.
Pope Benedict's stance, with his hands folded in the proper Muslim prayer position, was immediately relayed as "flash" news across international media sources.
The Pope was greeted on his entrance to the Blue Mosque by the Muftu of Istanbul, Mustafa Cagrici, as well as the Muftu of Eminonu, Muharrem Bilgic. The Catholic leader removed his shoes at the door to the mosque, and placed some slippers especially prepared for him by Vatican aides on his feet.
Muftu Mustafa Cagrici accompanied the Pope around the mosque, explaining the ceiling decorative tiles, the mihrap and the minber's functions, and then inviting the Catholic leader to join him in "peaceful moment" at the front of the mosque, facing the kible which itself faces Mecca. The Pope joined Cagrici, folding his hands before him in imitation of Cagrici's actions, and prayed
On the final day of his visit to Turkey, Pope Benedict XVI led a mass at Istanbul's Saint Esprit Cathedral in Beyoglu, where he was joined by a mass of worshippers, as well as by Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos, as well as Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II. At the entrance to the church, Pope Benedict XVI sent doves to symobolize peace aloft in the air.
| Pope at House of Virgin Mary     First Time After The Great Schism
WEst and East Churches together   At Sultanahmet Mosque, first Pope
During the visit of Pope, the Grand Imam (Muftu) of Istanbul gave a gift to him as a ceramic plant wich has a white pigeon figure. And without knowing, as concidence Pope brought a white pigeons painting to the Muftu. It was a nice suprise and the Pope interprated it as "the will of God".   
Pope's pray at the Mosque (or Respect Standing "Kiyam")   
Last edited by RWC-04; 1st December 2006 at 18:10.
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1st December 2006, 18:04
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