Do not create 'unpleasantness' during Pope's visit, Orthodox leader warns Turks

The spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians has cautioned Turks in an interview published recently against creating "unpleasant incidents" during Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming trip to Turkey – his first to a Muslim country.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I said in an interview in the Sabah newspaper that the Pope's Nov. 28–Dec. 1 trip was a great opportunity for Turkey, and he would tell the pontiff that the country belonged in the European Union, which Ankara has long sought to join.

The Pope's visit to Turkey was born out of Benedict's desire to meet Bartholomew, who has his headquarters in Istanbul, once ancient Constantinople. The pontiff has been trying to foster better relations between the Orthodox and Catholics, and will meet privately with Bartholomew on Nov. 29.

Turkish authorities have said they expect protests against the Pope, who angered Muslims by a speech he made in September in which he quoted a Byzantine emperor's remarks about Islam and violence. Benedict has expressed regret that his remarks had caused offense, and has stressed they did not reflect his personal opinion.

Last Sunday, more a dozen nationalists unfurled anti–Pope banners during a conservative party rally in Istanbul.

"We don't want the Pope in Turkey," read one banner. Another depicted Bartholomew – a divisive figure in Turkey – and Benedict as the two heads of a snake.

Bartholomew cautioned that if protests turn violent, it could cause problems for Turkey ahead of a critical EU summit in mid–December on Ankara's progress for membership.

"The Pope has a say in all Catholic countries," Bartholomew told the paper. "If there are psychologically unpleasant incidents, then this would be an issue in Brussels in December. Even if not at the official level, they would talk about it between themselves."

Many Europeans are questioning the merit of bringing a large and poor Muslim nation into the bloc. In particular, concerns have been raised about the country's poor record on human rights, intolerance to free speech and hardline attitudes toward adultery and homosexuality.

Bartholomew, however, said he would tell the pontiff that "it is not wrong for Turkey to become a member of the EU as a Muslim country because it would bring mutual richness."

"The EU should not remain as a Christian club," Bartholomew said.

During his trip, Benedict will also meet with Turkey's President and the deputy premier, as well as the head of the country's religious affairs, a top Islamic cleric.