"A friendly greeting to the beloved Turkish people, rich in history and culture": it was sent, yesterday morning, at the end of the Angelus prayer, by Benedict XVI, as he expressed his "sentiments of esteem and true friendship" with such "people and its representatives" for his forthcoming visit to Turkey. "I am truly excited added the Pope to meet the small Catholic community, that is always dear to my heart, and to fraternally join the Orthodox Church, on the occasion of the Feast of the Apostle Saint Andrew". With "confidence", explained the Holy Father, "I walk in the footsteps of my venerable predecessors Paul VI and John Paul II; and I invoke the heavenly protection of the blessed John XXIII", who had been for ten years the apostolic delegate to Turkey. He went on: "I ask all of you to accompany me with prayer, so that this pilgrimage may bear all the fruits that God wishes for". Then, as he recalled that December 1st is the World Day against Aids, the Pope, as well as encouraging "the many initiatives that the Church supports in this sphere", expressed the wish that "such circumstance may increase responsibility in the treatment of the disease along with the commitment to avoid discriminating the victims of such disease".
