Conflict in Syria and Iraq will not alter plan for visit to Turkey, Pope says
September 23, 2014
Pope Francis has told journalists that he does not intend to change his plans for a visit to Turkey in late November, despite the continued violence in neighboring Syria and Iraq.
"Geography cannot be changed," the Pope observed to reporters who accompanied him on his flight back to Rome after a Sunday visit to Albania. He is scheduled to visit Turkey for the feast of St. Andrew, November 30, and to join Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew in celebrating the patron feast of the Constantinople see.
Vatican officials have downplayed reports that the Islamic State might target the Pontiff, particularly during his visits to Albania and Turkey, which are predominantly Muslim countries.
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Posted by: Defender -
Sep. 23, 2014 7:11 PM ET USA
Again, Turkey is in the middle of it. They recently required all students to study the Quran; its border is a known ISIS resupply route; and it recently closed its border to Christians trying to escape Islamic extremists. The pope sure could have a lot to talk about (this doesn't even include their invasion of Cyrus decades ago).
