Turkey to welcome Pope only as a “foreign leader of state”

Asia News ^ | October 19, 2006

[NYer]

TURKEY-VATICAN

Turkey to welcome Pope only as a “foreign leader of state”

This was announced by Turkey’s most popular daily that referred to a “diplomatic crisis” between Turkey and the Holy See.

Ankara (AsiaNews) – Benedict XVI will be welcomed as a "foreign leader of state” on his arrival in Turkey and not as a religious leader.

Hurriyet, Turkey’s most popular daily, pointed to a “diplomatic crisis” brewing over the upcoming papal visit. The newspaper said the Vatican generally described the Pope's visits as "religious missions," but state officials said that since he has been invited by the President of the Republic of Turkey, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, the Pope would be welcomed as a "foreign leader of state."

The newspaper said that “although it was not clear at first whether this would be acceptable to the Vatican, agreement should be reached this week”.

The “diplomatic crisis” hinted at in Turkey does not seem to have any substance in reality. There have already been papal trips where the pope is welcomed as “head of the Vatican” and not as head of the Catholic Church. Moreover, the Holy See has already given official notice of the visit, which has been scheduled from 28 November to 1 December.

Hurriyet said that when he arrives in Turkey, Benedict XVI will be greeted at the airport by top level government officials, and then taken to the Cankaya President Palace to be formally welcomed by the head of state. The newspaper said the Pope will give President Sezer an antique Bible and a book of some of his works and prayers.

Around 1,000 journalists are expected to cover the event.

[Biggirl]

At least Turkey accepts the fact that the Pope is a head of a state, the Vatican.

[NYer]

Pope Benedict XVI
Head of Vatican State

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[NYer]

How does the Turkish government view the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Patriarch Bartholomew I?

[Bahbah]

Benedict XVI will be welcomed as a "foreign leader of state” on his arrival in Turkey and not as a religious leader.

Well, they can pretend if they wish. He is the Holy Father and the head of our church. They can call him a friendly guy from Italy if they want. It doesn't change thing.

[Cronos]

They view the reverend EP as a dhimmi.

[acapesket]

It certainly will be "interesting" to see how the populace responds to the Pope's visit! The Islamicists are taking a great big chance, their credibility (ho ho ho) is on the line.
We can all hope and pray that Turkey has a "Lech" moment! Pray that the Christian Turks have the Courage of the Polish!

[theBuckwheat]

Add this to the list of other laughable, and indeed silly, fictions like "zionist entity".

[NYer]

We can all hope and pray that Turkey has a "Lech" moment! Pray that the Christian Turks have the Courage of the Polish!

Yes!

I believe he will enter triumphant, like our Lord entering Jerusalem who arrived on an ass. And, like our Lord, the betrayers will be awaiting his arrival, ready to strike him just as they did our Lord.

May the Holy Father's presence move hearts and change minds. May he persuade the Turkish government to open the Orthodox seminary to outsiders, as it has been for centuries. And may he bring the peace of our Lord to a troubled land.

[Biggirl]

No matter how Turkey refers to him, he is still the Pope and head of my faith.

[Biggirl]

And may God give the Pope not only a safe trip, but will help him plant seeds of the grace of God's love and peace.

[Kolokotronis]

"How does the Turkish government view the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Patriarch Bartholomew I?"

Only as the local Greek Orthodox bishop of Istanbul.

[Bahbah]

And may he bring the peace of our Lord to a troubled land.

The Holy Father has a dickens of a backup sponsor. His faith is an inspiration.

[The_Reader_David]

Actually, I've understood that they insist the Rum Patrikhi is a venerable 'Turkish institution'. Oddly, acknowledging it Romanness in the name, and denying its Greekness.

(Which is fine by me--I've thought the reembrace of "Hellenism" was a mistake.)

[TheCrusader]

"Ankara (AsiaNews) – Benedict XVI will be welcomed as a "foreign leader of state” on his arrival in Turkey and not as a religious leader."

Just another proof that islam does not live in the real world, but in a world of lies and deceptions.

[NeoCaveman]

Well I didn't expect them to welcome him as the vicar of Christ.

Although it's a worhty goal for which we should pray.

[R.W.Ratikal]

Turkey is a Muslim country. The "newspaper" is owned and controlled by the government. The people of Turkey have no say in whether or how the Pope or anybody else is treated.

For over a hundred years turkey has been known as "The sick old man of Europe." It's a lingering illness.

[Cicero]

It's an opportunity to further real dialogue with Islam, as opposed to the kind of fake dialogue that has too often been the bane of ecumenicism.

It's also very dangerous. Most western visitors speak of the Turks as friendly, and Attaturk still has some influence, although it may be waning. But it is still dangerous. The assassin who shot JP II was a Turk, although Bulgaria and the USSR were behind it.

I'm sure Pope Benedict prays, "Thy will be done," as he approaches this momentous visit.

[kosta50]

How does the Turkish government view the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Patriarch Bartholomew I?

As a prisoner.