The Pope’s audience taking inspiration from his recent apostolic journey to Turkey. With the faithful gathered in Aula Paolo VI, Benedict XVI went over the highlights of his visit "which looked not too easy at first" but which, "guided by God, was a success". The Pontiff wanted to thank once again the Turkish authorities "for their kindness", the Turkish Catholic Bishops "for all they did", and recalled the meetings he had with Bartholomew I, Mesrob II and Filuksinos Cetin. "Let’s render thanks said the Pope for the way this journey went and ended. I entrust to Christ the fruits of the dialogue with the Orthodox congregation and with Islam". As to the dialogue with Muslims, Benedict XVI repeated "his sentiments of esteem for Islam and its culture", while exhorting "Christians and Muslims to work together towards peace and justice". Then he recalled his visit to the Blue Mosque, "a gesture that had not been planned", where, he revealed, "I stood in meditation on the One Father of all the Earth. May everyone feel His creature". (to be continued)
