Turks are missing Pope Benedict XVI, says President of Turkey’s Bishops’ Conference

(Tues.05 Dec.2006):-The Turks are missing Pope Benedict XVI. Thanks to his gestures in Turkey during last week’s visit, the Pope has managed to overcome the attitude of hostility that awaited before his arrival.” This is what Archbishop Ruggero Franceschini of Smyrna, president of Turkey’s bishops’ conference told AsiaNews. The Archbishop accompanied Pope Benedict from the very first steps of his journey in Turkish territory. Three days after the pope’s departure from Istanbul, he is still taking in the climate of joy and satisfaction. Archbishop Franceschini said: “I am an optimist by nature but I am not one to be deluded. I looked in the eyes of people many times, and every time I found expressions of sympathy for the Pope. The welcome from everyone was marvellous. Veiled Muslim women rushed to the sides of the road so they could see and greet him. The mayor of Smyrna affirmed that this was a great day for him, and some civil leaders who went to shake the Pope’s hand in Ephesus were hard pressed to keep back their tears of emotion.
Religious authorities also showed respect and esteem. The religious affairs chief amazed people. After his hard words about the speech in Regensburg, he had the courage to say there was the need to work together for peace and dialogue, forgetting the past. But the Muftì of Istanbul was still warmer and more affectionate, as he welcomed Pope Benedict in the Blue Mosque with such simplicity and sympathy. The shared prayer was the right ending for a meeting between wise people, who are careful to pay mutual respect. It was no coincidence that they exchanged the same symbol: a dove, sign of peace. The Orthodox also were affectionate in every way. I was amazed also at the large crowd that gathered at the Armenian Patriarchate.” The president of the Turkish episcopate said: “This was a beautiful, successful visit. The Pope managed to win over the hearts of all”. A comment by a television journalist Mihat Bereket was significant: “The unwanted Pope has become a Pope we will miss!” Archbishop Ruggero hoped this visit will serve to give birth to something positive and lasting. Pope Benedict in his Sunday Angelus message also said that his trip to Turkey was still vivid in his heart and mind, and he hoped it will bear good fruit for ever more sincere cooperation between all the disciples of Christ and for a profitable dialogue with Muslim believers.