"My warmest thanks to everyone": with these words, Benedict XVI, yesterday morning, before introducing the Angelus prayer from Saint Peter’s Square, spoke to the "whole Christian Community", by whose prayer he "felt himself accompanied and supported" during his apostolic journey to Turkey, an "unforgettable spiritual and pastoral experience, from which I hope may come fruits of good for a more and more sincere cooperation among all the disciples of Christ and for a fruitful dialogue with the Muslim believers". As he repeated his expression of "gratitude to all those who have organised the journey and contributed some way or other to its peaceful and fruitful accomplishment", the Pope sent "a special thought to the Turkish Authorities and to the friendly Turkish people, who welcomed me in a way worthy of their traditional hospitality". Benedict XVI mainly recalled "the dear Catholic Community that lives on the Turkish land", "these brothers and sisters who are often in distress". "It is really added the Holy Father a small flock, varied, full of enthusiasm and faith, who, as it were, constantly and powerfully live the experience of Advent with the help of hope". (to be continued)
