Catholic World News News Feature
At Ataturk's tomb, Pope prays for peace November 28, 2006
Pope Benedict XVI visited the tomb of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, on Tuesday, November 28, shortly after his arrival in the country.
In the "Golden Book" that is kept on the site for comments by distinguished visitors, Pope Benedict wrote in English:
In this land, a meeting point among different cultures and religions and a bridge between Europe and Asia, I willingly make my own the words of the founder of the Turkish republic, expressing the wish for "peace at home and peace in the world."
Following an airport meeting with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, the Holy Father traveled the 27 miles to the Ataturk mausoleum in a closed armor-plated car, with only a few people on the sidewalks to watch the passage of the papal motorcade.
Arriving at the imposing building-- which was constructed in the style of a Greek temple, completed in 1953-- the Pope was escorted by a heavy guard of Turkish soldiers up the stairs to the tomb of Ataturk, where he laid a wreath and remained for a moment in silent prayer before making his entry in the Golden Book.
The Pontiff left the mausoleum, smiling as he re-entered his car, to continue on to the next stop on his trip: a visit to President Ahment Necdet Sezer.
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