Vatican confirms Pope Benedict to visit Turkey Nov. 28-30

Published: 2006-02-09

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Just four days after an Italian priest was killed in Turkey, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI would visit the country Nov. 28-30. While the pope had spoken publicly about wanting to go to Turkey, particularly to visit the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Feb. 9 Vatican announcement was the first to mention specific dates. Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said Turkish "President Ahmet Necdet Sezer invited His Holiness Benedict XVI to make an official visit to his nation Nov. 28-30. The Holy Father accepted the invitation." Navarro-Valls said a detailed itinerary and program had not yet been completed. The Vatican announcement came on the eve of the funeral Mass for Father Andrea Santoro, a Rome priest who had been serving as a missionary in Turkey. He was shot and killed Feb. 5 as he prayed in St. Mary Church in the Black Sea coastal city of Trebizond.

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