ADDRESS OF PAUL VI
TO THE NEW AMBASSADOR OF TURKEY
TO THE HOLY SEE*

Thursday, 5 December 1968

Mister Ambassador,

It is with special pleasure that We welcome you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to the Holy See. Your Excellency’s kind words recall Our historic visit, which was a testimony to the excellent relations of cordial friendship existing between the Catholic Church and Turkey; and to Our admiration for a country, justly famed for its natural beauties and its artistic treasures, which We saw in Istanbul, Ephesus and Smyrna, with their religious memories.

We cherish the most consoling remembrance of the solemn and cordial welcome accorded Us by His Excellency the President of the Republic and by the Honourable Members of the Government. We then received a deep impression of the evolution of modern Turkey, through the wise and farseeing efforts of its statesmen.

Well aware of the condition of the Catholic Church in your country, We are confident that it will always enjoy the civil liberties enshrined in your Constitution and the full trust of the Authorities; for the great desire of Catholics is to contribute, ever more generously, to the spiritual and social good of the Nation.

Ardently desiring to consolidate and increase the relations of most sincere and most heartfelt friendship between Turkey and this Apostolic See. We assure Your Excellency of Our good wishes for your important mission; and, through your good offices, We send salutations of warm respect to the Chief of State, and the Government, as well as to all the beloved Turkish people. Upon them, and upon Your Excellency and your family, We invoke the protection and assistance of Almighty God.   

*AAS 61 (1968), p.28-29.

Insegnamenti di Paolo VI, vol. VI, p.623-624.

L’Attività della Santa Sede 1968, p.1082-1083.

L’Osservatore Romano, 6.12.1968, p.1.

ORa n. 37 p.5