In his weekly Sunday prayers delivered in Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City, Pope Benedict XVI yesterday mentioned Turkey and the Turkish people, saying "I want to extend my heartfelt greetings to the Turkish people, who are so rich in history and culture. Please pray for me on my visit to Turkey, that it may bear the fruits the Lord wishes." According to papal spokesman Federico Lombardi, the Pope is planning on making a visit to Istanbul's famous Blue Mosque, a decision which is viewed by many as one more attempt by the Vatican to soften the tension between Benedict XVI and the Islamic world. Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the Blue Mosque will be his first visit to any mosque since becoming Pope. Benedict XVI's predecessor, Pope Jean Paul II, had visited a mosque in Syria during a 2001 trip to that country, which marked the first time ever that any Pope had made an official visit to a mosque. In other comments, papal spokesman Lombardi also told Reuters yesterday that no Pope ever eats a meal with political figures on visits to countries abroad. This comment was in reference to reports that Pope Benedict XVI had refused an invitation from Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to dinner. In reference to the fact that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is planning on being out of the country while Benedict XVI visits Turkey, Lombardi commented "If Prime Minister Erdogan sees the NATO summit as more important, that is his own business."

EU is possible

Lombardi also stressed to Reuters that the Vatican was no officially opposed to Turkish membership in the EU, noting that if Turkey fulfilled all of the necessary requirements "there is no reason for it not to enter the EU." Benedict XVI to speak Italian on trip to Turkey During his visit to the Turkish Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Pope will be speaking Italian, according to Vatican sources in Ankara.