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 . `` Hundreds of thousands of persons have been forced to abandon their homes and countries in order to survive and remain faithful to their religious beliefs , '' he said . `` Turkey , which has generously welcomed a great number of refugees , is directly affected by this tragic situation on its borders ; the international community has the moral obligation to assist Turkey in taking care of these refugees . '' At the same time , Francis said , Turkey has a `` great responsibility , '' because of its history and location bridging East and West , to help bring different communities together and promote the path to peace . Erdogan criticizes Islamophobia . In his address , Erdogan highlighted what he said was a disturbing trend of increased racism and Islamophobia in the West , at the same time as Islamist extremism wracks parts of the Middle East . The world must come together if it wants to combat terrorism , he said . The Turkish leader also suggested the West should not turn a blind eye to abuses committed by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad while it pursues ISIS . The timing of the Pope 's visit , in this period of unrest , is extremely significant , Erdogan added , voicing hope that it would lead to an `` auspicious era '' of improved relations in the world . Francis also met with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and will hold talks with the head of the country 's religious affairs directorate , Mehmet Gormez . On his first trip to Turkey as pontiff , Francis will also spend time with the head of the Orthodox Church . The three-day visit , which may be one of the most challenging of his papacy , is intended to strengthen bridges , not only between sister churches but also across religious divides . It comes at a time when Christians -- as well as other minorities and many Muslims -- are coming under increasing pressure amid worsening conflict in the Middle East , the birthplace of Christianity . Positive relations . The Pope 's first stop in Ankara was at the Ataturk Mausoleum , tomb of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk , the founder of Turkish republic and its first president , where he laid a wreath . He will spend Saturday and Sunday in Istanbul at the invitation of Patriarch Bartholomew I , spiritual leader of some 300 million Orthodox Christians . Bartholomew has asked the Pope to take part in celebrations marking the feast of St. Andrew , founder of the Eastern Church and the older brother of St. Peter . The invitation was first extended at the time of Francis ' papal inauguration in March 2013 , according to Vatican Radio . `` We are eagerly awaiting the visit of our brother , Pope Francis , '' Bartholomew is quoted as saying . `` It will be yet another significant step in our positive relations as sister churches . '' Before meeting privately with Bartholomew on Saturday , Francis will celebrate Mass at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit in Istanbul . He will also attend the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral on Sunday . Forced to flee . Over the past decade , first al Qaeda and then ISIS have forced the majority of Christians to flee Iraq and Syria . Only a fraction of their former number remain in areas under ISIS control , deciding to place their faith in God or pay the terrorists a protection tax . Growing numbers , especially from Syria , have ended up in Turkey . The nation already is reeling from the influx of around 1.5 million Syrian refugees , the vast majority Muslim , and it 's politically uneasy , with a controversial and conservative government that its opponents fear will challenge the secular identity of the post-Ottoman Empire . Turkey also faces an atmosphere of increased insecurity , with ISIS at its border and the extremist group 's leader , Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi , announcing its intention to conquer Rome and the world . Kenan Gurdal , deputy director of the Virgin Mary Ancient Assyrian Church Foundation in Istanbul , told CNN that the Pope 's visit means a great deal . `` In a time of chaos in the Middle East , in a time where there is Muslim-Christian fighting , it is a beautiful thing to have a pope visit a Muslim country , '' he said . `` It is a very positive thing , and hopefully this can be a lesson to the world and that it contributes to peace . '' Francis is the fourth Pope to travel to Turkey , following in the footsteps of Paul VI , John Paul II and Benedict XVI .
Patriarch Bartholomew I calls for religious freedom and tolerance to counter extremism . Pope Francis : Fanaticism and fundamentalism need to be countered by those of all faiths . Patriarch Bartholomew I , spiritual leader of ISIS , invited Pope . Many refugees in Iraq , including Syrian , have fled violence in Iraq and Syria .