Pope aims for reconciliation on Turkey trip

ROME – Pope Benedict left yesterday for a delicate four-day trip to Turkey, saying his visit would be an opportunity for reconciliation and dialogue between Christians and Muslims.

“The scope of this visit is dialogue, brotherhood, a commitment for understanding between cultures, between religions, for reconciliation,” the Pope told reporters on board his aircraft before leaving Rome for Turkey. The Pope said his trip was aimed at improving relations both with Muslims and the Orthodox Christians.”I want to underline that this is not a political visit, it’s a pastoral visit and as such has as its definition a determination for dialogue and a common undertaking for peace.”Dialogue in many dimensions: between cultures, between Christianity and Islam, dialogue with our Christian brothers, and above all the Orthodox Church of Constantinople and certainly a better understanding between us all.”Benedict infuriated Muslims worldwide in September with a lecture that seemed to depict Islam as an irrational religion tainted with violence.He later expressed regret at the pain his comments caused but stopped short of a full apology.More than 20,000 Muslim protesters rallied against the Pope’s trip on Sunday in Istanbul, chanting “Pope don’t come”, but Benedict said he was expecting a warm reception.”The Turkish people are a hospitable people, a people that desire peace.Turkey has always been a bridge between cultures, a place for meeting and dialogue,” the Pope said.Nampa-ReutersThe Pope said his trip was aimed at improving relations both with Muslims and the Orthodox Christians.”I want to underline that this is not a political visit, it’s a pastoral visit and as such has as its definition a determination for dialogue and a common undertaking for peace.”Dialogue in many dimensions: between cultures, between Christianity and Islam, dialogue with our Christian brothers, and above all the Orthodox Church of Constantinople and certainly a better understanding between us all.”Benedict infuriated Muslims worldwide in September with a lecture that seemed to depict Islam as an irrational religion tainted with violence.He later expressed regret at the pain his comments caused but stopped short of a full apology.More than 20,000 Muslim protesters rallied against the Pope’s trip on Sunday in Istanbul, chanting “Pope don’t come”, but Benedict said he was expecting a warm reception.”The Turkish people are a hospitable people, a people that desire peace.Turkey has always been a bridge between cultures, a place for meeting and dialogue,” the Pope said.Nampa-Reuters