Pope Francis called Friday for religious tolerance and dialogue to counter extremism in the Middle East as he met with Turkey's leaders on the first day of a rare papal visit to the predominantly Muslim country. Speaking in Ankara alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Pope called on people of all faiths to show respect for human life, dignity and religious freedom. "Fanaticism and fundamentalism, as well as irrational fears which foster misunderstanding and discrimination, need to be countered by the solidarity of all believers," he said. Terrorist violence shows no sign of abating in Iraq and Syria, with grave persecution against Christians and the Yazidi minority in particular, Francis said.
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Pope Francis calls for religious freedom and tolerance to counter extremism
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Pope: Fanaticism and fundamentalism need to be countered by those of all faiths
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Patriarch Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of the Orthodox Church, invited Pope
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Many refugees in Turkey, including Christians, have fled violence in Iraq and Syria
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
The timing of the Pope's visit, in this period of unrest, is extremely significant, @placeholder added, voicing hope that it would lead to an "auspicious era" of improved relations in the world.
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"We are eagerly awaiting the visit of our brother, @placeholder," Bartholomew is quoted as saying.