Pope Benedict XVI ends Turkey visit

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dpa German Press Agency
Published: Friday December 1, 2006

Istanbul/Rome- Pope Benedict XVI returned home on Friday, ending what was described as a largely successful four-day visit to Turkey. The pontiff landed at Rome's Ciampino airport at lunchtime after boarding Turkish Airlines Boing 737 in Istanbul and then took a helicopter ride to the Vatican.

Speaking shortly before his departure, Benedict had said he was leaving a piece of his heart behind in "magnificent Istanbul" and recalled the importance of dialogue between Christianity and Islam, describing Turkey as "a bridge between Asia and Europe."

Asked by Istanbul's mayor whether he planned to ever return to the city, the 79-year-old pontiff said: "I am old and I don't know how long Our Lord will grant me (to live)."

Earlier Friday, the pope wrapped up his fifth foreign trip, his first to a predominantly Muslim country, by saying mass at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Istanbul.

Benedict gave his blessings to the small Catholic community that live in the country and was rewarded with spontaneous applause and cheers.

Also in attendance at Friday's service was Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, with whom the pope held long talks on Thursday aimed at mending ancient rifts between the two Churches.

One of the highlights of his Turkey visit had come later on Thursday, when the pope paid what was described as "a historic" visit to Istanbul's Blue Mosque.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency