Papal Trip "Has Borne Fruit in All Directions"

Interview With Vatican Spokesman Father F. Lombardi

ISTANBUL, Turkey, DEC. 6, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's historic trip to Turkey brought better results than many people expected, says a Vatican spokesman.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, evaluated the four-day visit on Vatican Radio last Friday, the last day of the trip. This is an adapted translation of that interview.

Q: What is your global assessment of this trip?

Father Lombardi: Obviously it is an extremely positive evaluation -- an evaluation that is certainly higher than the expectations could have been, probably on the part of the Pope himself and his collaborators.

I recall that also in the past, when there were especially compromising trips, let's also say, "difficult." […] For John Paul II, the courage of the Pope was always seen, who faced them with great determination and faith, always obtaining extraordinarily higher results than could be imagined.

I think the same thing has happened now with Benedict XVI. This is very beautiful and encouraging, because it means that the faith and courage of the Popes is also rewarded when facing situations of uncertainty. An extremely positive evaluation in all aspects, therefore, both in the relationship with the Turkish people and the Turkish state, as well as in the relationship with the Muslim religion, ecumenical relations with the other Christian confessions and, finally, the encouragement for the local Catholic community.

Q: Let's try to reflect on this trip describing it in images. Certainly indelible among these is the Pope's recollection in meditation at the Blue Mosque, a gesture that has made a great impression.

Father Lombardi: I'd say yes. That, in fact, was the moment that attracted most attention and, in a certain sense, it is also the one that was, perhaps, the most novel and unexpected as regards a few weeks ago.

It seems to me that, thinking also on what occurred in previous months -- the discussions or reactions following the misunderstandings on the Regensburg address -- the visit to the mosque and the subsequent moment of recollection constituted the symbolic act that, in a certain sense, has achieved more and taken to the common and also the popular conscience what the clarifications made in words and in the different statements proposed by the Pope and his collaborators in past months could not.

But what was also still lacking was precisely that act, that physical step, that moment of cordial meeting with a smile, an open heart, which would demonstrate and make it understood that the distances were surmounted and that the dialogue was something real, profound and sincere.

I would say that, in addition to the moment of recollection, also the cordiality of the dialogue with the Great Mufti and with the imam, who welcomed the Pope in the mosque, was an especially expressive and happy moment.

Q: Let's reflect on another strong image of the trip: Benedict XVI's embrace with Bartholomew I, a sign of a cordiality and, we could say, of an affection that seems to encourage the ecumenical path.

Father Lombardi: This is a path that continues, a path that Pope Benedict XVI has placed from the beginning, from the first day of his election, among the priorities of his pontificate.

I would say that, in addition to that gesture, also of great significance were the words the Pope uttered in his address during the Divine Liturgy, when renewing that courageous, profound and cordial invitation of John Paul II to talk together, to seek together ways to define this universal ministry of Peter at the service of the unity of the whole Church, and likewise the explicit desire for unity that he kept stressing during the homily in the last Mass in the Catholic Cathedral of Istanbul.

The passionate desire for unity states that the priority of the pontificate is truly very present and the embrace with Patriarch Bartholomew I and also the embraces of peace with other Orthodox representatives and those of other Christian confessions present in the conclusive Mass of the trip are very expressive.

There was also an occasion, on the part of the ecumenical patriarch, to touch upon specific problems in which the Orthodox Church appeals for solidarity, for the Catholic Church's friendship in its situations of difficulty.

It is, therefore, an ecumenism that must continue, both from the point of view of doctrinal, theological and ecclesiological in depth study, as well as from that of concrete charity, closeness and solidarity for the mission of evangelization and Christian witness in today's world, which is truly in very great need of it.

Q: In Ephesus and in the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Istanbul, the intense and even at times moving meeting with the small Catholic community of Turkey, and on several occasions during the apostolic journey, the Pope requested that religious liberty be guaranteed. What expectations can one now have?

Father Lombardi: This request for the affirmation of religious liberty, which itself is present in the Turkish Constitution, was certainly manifested, but with an interpretation that, in practice, at times leaves much to be desired, creating difficulties.

The affirmation of the principle was, therefore, very clear, and not only in addresses but also in conversations held with different authorities, both by the Pope as well as his collaborators.

There was also, in particular during the meeting with the deputy prime minister, the specific proposal to establish a commission at the level of government and of representatives of the Church to address these concrete problems.

In this connection, it was certainly an encouragement for the life of the Catholic community, for its faith and enthusiasm, but also a premise to take concrete steps of continuity, so that the premises posed by this visit can develop and bear fruits.

One of the points that impressed me, especially in the conclusive Mass, was that of the unity and community among the different rites. There were four different rites of Catholic Christian communities that live in Istanbul and that manifested their variety and richness in the morning liturgy.

There was, therefore, also an invitation to unity, to the communion of riches, of traditions and of cultural expressions within the Catholic Church. A cordial invitation, the latter, which has come from this prayer meeting to which the Pope also made explicit reference more than once yesterday.

Q: As is known, the expectations of the trip were many, coupled also with some concerns. Can it then be said, without exaggeration, that the Pope has been able to win everyone over, perhaps even beyond the expectations?

Father Lombardi: I'd say yes, and this seems to me an extremely positive result.

The trip has borne fruit in all directions and this has shown that there were no directions that were opposed, divergent or in competition among themselves, but that peace can be built and that positive messages can be given to invite all those of good will to collaborate and build better coexistence.

I would not like to forget, in fact, the strong appeals for peace in the Middle East, very close to here -- Turkey is, in a certain sense, a nation of this geographic area -- that the Pope has voiced on several occasions, encouraging the commitment of the international community and, especially, also of this great nation, for peace in this most critical region.