Arriving in Turkey, Pope calls for fight against fundamentalism, terrorism
November 28, 2014
Arriving in Turkey on Friday afternoon, November 28, Pope Francis called for “an end to all forms of fundamentalism and terrorism which gravely demean the dignity of every man and woman and exploit religion.”
“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 in his first public address, delivered to Turkish political leaders.
Arriving in Ankara early in the afternoon, the Pontiff visited the mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, and then traveled to the presidential palace, where he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In his remarks there, the Pope recalled the Turkey is the birthplace of St. Paul and the site of Ephesus, traditionally revered as the home of the Virgin Mary in her later life.
Pope Francis also reminded his hosts that three of his recent predecessors had traveled to Turkey: Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI. Also Pope John XXIII had been won great popularity in Ankara when he served as apostolic delegate to Turkey.
Turning next to Turkey’s role as a bridge between cultures, the Pope spoke at length about the importance of tolerance and religious freedom. “The Middle East, in particular, has for too long been a theatre of fratricidal wars,” he said. “We must not resign ourselves to ongoing conflicts as if the situation can never change for the better!”
More specifically, the Holy Father spoke passionately about the barbaric violence in Syria and Iraq. Turkey has an immediate interest in these problems among its neighbors, the Pope observed—acknowledging that Turkey has already welcomed thousands of refugees. He said that while it is justifiable to take military action to “stop an unjust aggressor,” the ultimate answer to this violence must be based upon a mutual commitment to building peace through justice.
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