Pope To Visit Blue Mosque

(26 Nov 2006 RV) Vatican Press Office Director and Director General of Vatican Radio, Fr. Federico Lombardi, confirmed Sunday that Pope Benedict XVI will visit Istanbul's famed Blue Mosque, during his four day trip to Turkey. The Sultanahmet, or Blue Mosque, stands in a square of the same name in the historical district of Istanbul, opposite the Aya Sofya museum. The Pope will pay a short visit to the mosque on Thursday November 30th.
Also today, in an interview with Turkish press, Fr Lombardi reiterated that the Vatican is not opposed to Turkey joining the European Union.
Speaking to Anatolia news agency Fr. Lombardi pointed out that the issue of Turkish membership in the EU is a political one and that it must be noted that the Vatican is not a member of the EU. He concluded that there can be no objections to membership if Turkey fulfills its obligations and meets the requirements of the EU criteria.