MGR FRANCESCHINI: TURKS ARE MISSING POPE
AsiaNews.it, Italy
Dec 4 2006
The president of the Turkey’s bishops’ conference told how after
Ephesus, Benedict XVI "could at last be a religious leader through
and through" and how he won people’s hearts. And there were evident
signs of communion with the Orthodox Patriarch.
Ankara (AsiaNews) – Thanks to his gestures in Turkey in last week’s
visit, the Pope has managed to overcome the attitude of hostility
that many awaited him with. This is what Mgr Ruggero Franceschini,
president of Turkey’s bishops’ conference and the archbishop of
Smyrna, told AsiaNews. The archbishop accompanied Benedict XVI 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. There are many signs, small and big,
of a climate of relaxation and serenity. Mgr 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. I cannot deny how tense the Holy Father himself
was in Ankara, during the political diplomatic meetings; it was the
spiritual immersion in Ephesus, especially as he took in the display
of affection and goodwill by the people, which calmed him. At last,
from being a political leader, a role that is not really his and
that certainly embarrassed him even if it was undertaken very well,
he could be a religious leader through and through.
Immediately, as soon as the Eucharistic celebration at Mary’s house
was over, he could exclaim joyfully: ‘Now I feel I can speak freely
and that I can express all my faith in God, I do my part and he
will do his.’" The archbishop continued: "I can truly say that I
saw him abandon himself into the hands of God and that this voyage
turned out to be a great success. The welcome from everyone was
especially marvelous, starting from his descent from the Mountain of
the Nightingale where Meryem Ana is situated. There were many people
– obviously Muslim, including many veiled women – who rushed to the
sides of the road so they could see and greet him. It was a popular
manifestation that offered, in all simplicity, a humane welcome of
reconciliation, and it enabled one to forget the other manifestation
against the pope, the gathering in Istanbul on the Sunday before
his arrival. Christians then took heart: this encouragement, this
reawakening, was needed, especially by Christians in Smyrna, who
do not have big problems to face as do Christians in other parts of
Turkey. But they tend to rest on their laurels; faith is no longer the
deepest dimension of their lives. They were roused by the Pope who
reminded them of the example of Don Andrea who wanted to be a seed
and who shed his blood in this land." Mgr Franceschini continued:
"Even the attitude of the civil authorities has been interesting:
some – with evident political intent – sought to gain the support
and sympathy of the Pope, even to the extent of affirming things
that Benedict XVI had not said. But others allowed themselves to be
led by their hearts, like the vice prime minister and various chief
officials and mayors, who were infected by people’s enthusiasm.
The mayor of Smyrna was exemplary, he 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
Benedict XVI 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, then, were affectionate in every way; they put
everything at our disposal, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate turned
out to be a welcoming and open environment where people from all the
world merged together, including the Korean metropolitan with many of
his faithful. They came from so far away precisely to underline their
communion with Patriarch Bartholomew I and the Pope. I was amazed,
finally, at the large crowd that gathered at the Armenian Patriarchate
and there too, by the warm welcome shown by the stupendous Armenian
choir." The president of the Turkish episcopate said: "This was the
most beautiful success of the 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!" Mgr
Ruggero added optimistically: "We cannot tell now what the fruits of
this visit will be, but certainly this new esteem for Pope Ratzinger
will serve to give birth to something positive and lasting."
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