VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 211
DATE 28-11-2014

Summary:
- The Pope arrives in Turkey, a land able to promote an encounter of
civilisations and identify viable paths of peace and authentic progress
- Indulgences for the Year of Consecrated Life
- Notice

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 The Pope arrives in Turkey, a land able to promote an encounter of
civilisations and identify viable paths of peace and authentic progress
 Vatican City, 28 November 2014 (VIS) - This morning Pope Francis began the
sixth apostolic trip of his pontificate. His visit to Turkey is essentially of
an ecumenical nature, like those of his predecessors; the country has occupied
a privileged position in the geography of papal trips ever since the visit of
the Apostolic Delegate Angelo Roncalli, referred to by the Turkish authorities
as "the first Turkish pope in history" following his election as Pope John
XXIII. Turkey was also the destination of Paul VI's fifth apostolic trip in
1967, a corollary of his pilgrimage to the Holy Land and his historic embrace
with the Ecumenical Patriarch Atenagoras in Jerusalem. John Paul II continued
the tradition with his fourth trip (1979) as did Benedict XVI with his fifth
apostolic trip, in 2006.
 The Holy Father departed from Rome's Fiumicino airport at 9 a.m., and reached
the Turkish capital Ankara at 1 pm (local time) where he was received by the
civil and religious authorities. He transferred by car to the mausoleum of
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic,
the "Father of the Turks" who guided Turkey's radical rupture with its Ottoman
past, laying down the foundations of the modern secular state in its 1937
Constitution. Upon arrival the Pope was received by the Commander of the
Guard, ascended the Steps of Honour, left a floral tribute and prayed for a
moment. He was then accompanied to the nearby "Tower of National Pact", where
he signed the guest book.
 He then paid a visit to the Presidential Palace or "Ak Saray" (White Palace),
inaugurated just two months ago by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and
substituting the historic Cankaya Palace. The Holy Father was received by the
president, and the two spoke in private for a few minutes, after which Pope
Francis gave his first public address on Turkish soil, addressed to the
authorities gathered in the Ak Saray.
 "I am pleased to visit your country so rich in natural beauty and history,
and filled with vestiges of ancient civilisations. It is a natural bridge
between two continents and diverse cultures", the Pope began. "This land is
precious to every Christian for being the birthplace of Saint Paul, who
founded various Christian communities here, and for hosting the first seven
Councils of the Church. It is also renowned for the site near Ephesus which a
venerable tradition holds to be the 'Home of Mary',the place where the Mother
of Jesus lived for some years. It is now a place of devotion for innumerable
pilgrims from all over the world, not only for Christians, but also for
Muslims.
 "Yet, the reasons why Turkey is held with such regard and appreciation are
not only linked to its past and ancient monuments, but also have to do with
the vitality of its present, the hard work and generosity of its people, and
its role in the concert of nations. It brings me great joy to have this
opportunity to pursue with you a dialogue of friendship, esteem and respect,
in the footsteps of my predecessors Blessed Paul VI, Saint John Paul II and
Benedict XVI. This dialogue was prepared for and supported by the work of the
then apostolic delegate, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, who went on to become Saint
John XXIII, and by the Second Vatican Council".
 The Pope reiterated the need for a dialogue to "deepen the understanding and
appreciation of the many things which we hold in common. Such a dialogue will
allow us to reflect sensibly and serenely on our differences,and to learn from
them. There is a need to move forward patiently in the task of building a
lasting peace, one founded on respect for the fundamental rights and duties
rooted in the dignity of each person. In this way, we can overcome prejudices
and unwarranted fears, leaving room for respect, encounter, and the release of
more positive energies for the good of all".
 Therefore, "it is essential that all citizens - Muslim, Jewish and Christian
- both in the provision and practice of the law, enjoy the same rights and
respect the same duties. They will then find it easier to see each other as
brothers and sisters who are travelling the same path, seeking always to
reject misunderstandings while promoting cooperation and concord. Freedom of
religion and freedom of expression, when truly guaranteed to each person, will
help friendship to flourish and thus become an eloquent sign of peace.
 "The Middle East, Europe and the world all await this maturing of friendship.
The Middle East, in particular, has for too long been a theatre of fratricidal
wars, one born of the other, as if the only possible response to war and
violence must be new wars and further acts of violence. How much longer must
the Middle East suffer the consequences of this lack of peace? We must not
resign ourselves to ongoing conflicts as if the situation can never change for
the better! With the help of God, we can and we must renew the courage of
peace! Such courage will lead to a just, patient and determined use of all
available means of negotiation, and in this way achieve the concrete goals of
peace and sustainable development".
 Addressing the president, the Pope reaffirmed that "interreligious and
intercultural dialogue can make an important contribution to attaining this
lofty and urgent goal, so that there will be an end to all forms of
fundamentalism and terrorism which gravely demean the dignity of every man and
woman and exploit religion. Fanaticism and fundamentalism, as well as
irrational fears which foster misunderstanding and discrimination, need to be
countered by the solidarity of all believers. This solidarity must rest on the
following pillars: respect for human life and for religious freedom, that is
the freedom to worship and to live according to the moral teachings of one's
religion; commitment to ensuring what each person requires for a dignified
life; and care for the natural environment. The peoples and the states of the
Middle East stand in urgent need of such solidarity, so that they can 'reverse
the trend' and successfully advance a peace process, repudiating war and
violence and pursuing dialogue, the rule of law, and justice.
 "Sadly, to date, we are still witnessing grave conflicts. In Syria and Iraq,
particularly, terrorist violence shows no signs of abating. Prisoners and
entire ethnic populations are experiencing the violation of the most basic
humanitarian laws. Grave persecutions have taken place in the past and still
continue today to the detriment of minorities, especially - though not only -
Christians and Yazidis. 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.
 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. In
addition to providing much needed assistance and humanitarian aid, we cannot
remain indifferent to the causes of these tragedies. In reaffirming that it is
licit, while always respecting international law, to stop an unjust aggressor,
I wish to reiterate, moreover, that the problem cannot be resolved solely
through a military response. What is required is a concerted commitment on the
part of all, based on mutual trust, which can pave the way to lasting peace,
and enable resources to be directed, not to weaponry, but to the other noble
battles worthy of man: the fight against hunger and sickness, the promotion of
sustainable development and the protection of creation, and the relief of the
many forms of poverty and marginalisation of which there is no shortage in the
world today".
 The Pope concluded, "Turkey, by virtue of its history, geographical position
and regional influence, has a great responsibility: the choices which Turkey
makes and its example are especially significant and can be of considerable
help in promoting an encounter of civilisations and in identifying viable
paths of peace and authentic progress. May the Most High bless and protect
Turkey, and help the nation to be a strong and fervent peacemaker".

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 Indulgences for the Year of Consecrated Life
 Vatican City, 28 November 2014 (VIS) - The Holy Father, on the occasion of
the Year of Consecrated Life, will concede plenary indulgences, with the
customary conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer
in keeping with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff) to all members of the
institutes of consecrated life and other truly repentant faithful moved by a
spirit of charity, starting from the first Sunday of Advent this year until 2
February 2016, the day of the closure of the Year of Consecrated Life. The
indulgence may also be offered for departed souls in Purgatory.
 Indulgence may be obtained:
 - In Rome, in participation in the international meetings and celebrations
established in the calendar of the Congregation for the Institutes of
Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life, and pious reflection on
for a suitable period of time, concluding with the Lord's Prayer, the
Profession of Faith in any legitimate approved form, and invocations of the
Virgin Mary;
 - In all the particular Churches, during the days devoted to consecrated life
in the diocese, and during diocesan celebrations organised for the Year of
Consecrated Life, by visiting the cathedral or another sacred place designated
with the consent of the Ordinary of the place, or a convent church or oratory
of a cloistered monastery, and publicly reciting the Liturgy of the Hours or
through a suitable period of time of devout reflection, concluding with the
Lord's Prayer, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate approved form, and
pious invocations of the Virgin Mary.
 Members of the Institutes of Consecrated Life who, on account of ill health
or other serious reasons are prevented from visiting these sacred places, may
nonetheless receive Plenary Indulgence if, completely detached from any type
of sin and with the intention of being able to fulfil the three usual
conditions as soon as possible, devoutly carry out the spiritual visit and
offer their illness and the hardships of their life to God the merciful
through Mary, with the addition of the prayers as above.
 To facilitate this access to divine grace by means of pastoral charity, the
Apostolic Penitentiary Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, who signed the decree, asks
that the canons, members of the Chapter, the priests of the Institutes of
Consecrated Life and all others able to hear confessions offer themselves
willingly and generously to the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
and regularly administer Holy Communion to the sick.

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 Notice
 Vatican City, 28 November 2014 (VIS) - Special editions of the VIS bulletin
will be transmitted on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November, on the occasion of
Pope Francis' apostolic trip to Turkey.

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