Posted on 11/30/2014 3:46:00 PM PST by SeekAndFind
A day after calling for inter-religious dialogue to end Islamist extremism, Pope Francis on Saturday visited a 17th-century mosque in Istanbul and spent several minutes in a silent prayer with his head bowed in the direction of Mecca.
The pope made the gesture to promote Christian-Muslim relations at the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque, on Saturday, the second day of his three-day Turkey visit, according to the Vatican Radio.
He removed his shoes before entering the mosque with blue tiles on its walls. Standing next to him was the Grand Mufti, who explained about the Koranic verses illustrated on the stones pillars and the dome.
The pontiff also toured on Saturday the nearby Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine basilica which was turned into a mosque after the fall of Constantinople in the mid-15th century before being transformed into a museum.
The pontiff's visit is being seen as an effort to foster inter-faith relations.
"Fanaticism and fundamentalism, as well as irrational fears which foster misunderstanding and discrimination, need to be countered by the solidarity of all believers," the pope said Friday in a speech to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other political leaders on the first day of his pastoral visit to the cities of Ankara and Istanbul.
"It is essential that all citizens – Muslim, Jewish and Christian – both in the provision and practice of the law, enjoy the same rights and respect the same duties," the pope added in his speech Friday. "They will then find it easier to see each other as brothers and sisters who are travelling the same path, seeking always to reject misunderstandings while promoting cooperation and concord. Freedom of religion and freedom of expression, when truly guaranteed to each person, will help friendship to flourish
(Excerpt) Read more at christianpost.com ...
can a pope be impeached?
Anti-Pope?!
The antichrist’s “False Prophet” does a practice run before reporting for duty.
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Francis can always say that he’s still praying to the Christian God in a place that’s just a building and it doesn’t matter which way he’s facing, after all it’s what in his heart that counts... just saying.... there’s always an explanation for an act.
Wretch, barf, puke.
It is rather clear what is in his, as well as all other popes’ hearts.
Their actions where it counts are always “antichrist.”
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Hey, if Muslims can pray in a Christian Cathedral ( National Cathedral ), I guess a Pope can pray in a Mosque... (Not saying I approve of it).
Sometimes all I can do is sigh and pray that Jesus comes back soon.
Correct me if I am wrong, but hasn’t there been Islamic extremism since the dawn of Islam? Yes, all faiths have had some form of extremism/fanaticism, but only one that I know of actively beheads people.
I’m not Catholic and had really liked some of what Pope Francis was saying, but not now.
RE: Anti-Pope?!
Can’t be. He was chosen by the College of Cardinals in the Vatican. This is the legitimate Pope.
I don’t see a competing one from Avignon today.
Can, and should are two separate questions.
“Why does a dog...”
.
“Francis can always say that he’s still praying to the Christian God in a place that’s just a building and it doesn’t matter which way he’s facing, after all it’s what in his heart that counts... just saying.... there’s always an explanation for an act.”
.. and there is always someone with an excuse for this Pope.
Istanbul is 1500 miles from Turkey. The Earth is curved. He was praying in to space.
>> “Istanbul is 1500 miles from Turkey.” <<
.
Really?
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RE: Istanbul is 1500 miles from Turkey.
Istanbul IS in Turkey.
I pray towards Jerusalem sometimes when I imagine the King of Kings, the LORD of hosts, being on the throne. Was it in the same direction? I would never appear to be praying to any other God than the God of Israel.
No Catholic pope has any reason to be praying in a mosque. None.
Sure sounds like it to me.
...’’all faiths have had some form of extremism/fanaticism’’. Oh yeah? When was the last time a Jew blew themselves up in German restaurant?
Awful. Just awful.
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