Evaluation of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Turkey by Fr. Lombardi
(07 Dec. 2006) : Vatican Spokesman, Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi, said Pope Benedict
XVI’s historic trip to Turkey brought better results than many people expected. Recalling
that in the past Pope John Paul II had to face compromising and difficult trips with
faith and determination, Fr. Lombardi said, Pope Benedict’s trip to Turkey has been
well rewarded in spite of facing situations of uncertainty. The trip enabled positive
relationships with the Turkish people and the Turkish state, as well as the relationship
with the Muslim religion, ecumenical relations with the other Christian confessions
and, finally, the encouragement for the local Catholic community, he said.
Referring
to the reactions following the misunderstandings on the Regensburg address, Fr. Lombardi
further said that Pope’s visit to the mosque and the subsequent moment of recollection
that constituted the symbolic act, has achieved more in the popular conscience than
various statements in the past months. The trip, Fr. Lombardi said, has borne fruit
in all directions and that peace can be built and that positive messages can be given
to invite all people of good will to collaborate and build better coexistence.