Pope mourns death of Italian priest gunned down in Turkish church

Published: 2006-02-08

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI asked that the murder of an Italian missionary priest in Turkey intensify dialogue between religions and foster peace among peoples. At the end of his Feb. 8 general audience in the Vatican, the pope recalled the Feb. 5 murder of Father Andrea Santoro, who was gunned down while praying in his parish church. "How can I not remember to mention today Father Andrea Santoro?" the pope asked approximately 8,000 pilgrims in the Paul VI hall. The pilgrims immediately rose from their seats to give the slain priest a standing ovation. The pope called the missionary a "silent and courageous servant of the Gospel" and asked that "the sacrifice of his life contribute to the cause of dialogue between religions and peace among peoples." The pope said he had just received a letter, dated Jan. 31, from the murdered priest, who had written "a moving testimony of love and fidelity to Christ and his church." In the letter, the priest expressed his and his parishioners' desire that the pope visit their small church during his November trip to Turkey.

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