POPE ‘SURPRISED WHOLE WORLD’

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.11.2006 18:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Attention in mainly Muslim Turkey, though, was
focussed on surprise moves by Benedict on arrival on Tuesday: his
support for Ankara’s bid to join the European Union and praise for
the faith Muslims feel he had insulted in the past. His speech in
September that seemed to link Islam and violence – a link he denied
making – turned it into a symbolic visit to the Muslim world crucial
for the future of Vatican relations with Islam.

Some Turkish newspapers met with excitement the statements of the Pope
who encouraged Ankara’s aspiration to the EU. "This trip is important
for Turkey’s EU membership. This is a big warning for conservative
politicians who think the EU is a Christian club," reported Milliyet
daily. "It started beautifully: the Pope told the world from Ankara
that Islam was a religion of peace," said Hurriyet newspaper.

However, information agencies say there were no people in the streets
meeting the Pontiff, what proves the absence of interest of the
population to the Pope’s visit, reports the BBC Russian branch.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress