Ecumenical Patriarch attends liturgy officiated by Pope Benedict in Istanbul
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos on Friday paid a reciprocal visit to the 160-year-old Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit here, where he was welcomed by Pope Benedict XVI. "The Church does not wish to impose anything on anyone, it asks only for freedom," the Pontiff said after a service at the cathedral, adding that 90,000 Catholics live in predominately Muslim Turkey, sharing a day-to-day comradeship with people of a different faith. Both Church leaders joined in a procession leading into the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, where the Pope celebrated a divine liturgy for the Roman Catholic community of Istanbul. During the service the Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos offered a common blessing to the faithful. Also in attendance for the Roman Catholic liturgy were the heads of other Christian communities of the Bosporus metropolis. Judging by headlines in the Turkish press this week, the Pope's visit was utterly successful, as his reported support for Turkey's European prospects and a visit to a renowned Muslim place of worship, the Blue Mosque, eased negative sentiments in the country. The Ecumenical Patriarchate also appeared satisfied with the steps towards rapprochement between the two Churches as well as Benedict's vocal support for religious and minority rights in Turkey. Benedict was due to depart Istanbul on Friday, with Vartholomeos expected to accompany him to the airport. The Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit was built in 1846 under the direction of Italian architect Julien Hillereau. It is located near the Beyoglu district of Istanbul, and among others, hosts a statute of one of the Pope's same-name predecessors, Benedict XV, in its courtyard -- a gift from the Turkish state. Caption: Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, right, and Pope Benedict XVI sign a common declaration on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006 at the Patriarchate's Fanar-district headquarters. ANA-MPA photo / D. Panagos.
