2006-12-07 15:20:12

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.








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