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.

"We are eagerly awaiting the visit of our brother,

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- Ankara," Bartholomew is quoted as saying.
- Bartholomew I," Bartholomew is quoted as saying.
- Christians," Bartholomew is quoted as saying.
- Francis," Bartholomew is quoted as saying.
- Iraq," Bartholomew is quoted as saying.
- Middle East," Bartholomew is quoted as saying.
- Muslim," Bartholomew is quoted as saying.
- Orthodox Church," Bartholomew is quoted as saying.
- Pope," Bartholomew is quoted as saying.
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan," Bartholomew is quoted as saying.
- Syria," Bartholomew is quoted as saying.
- Turkey," Bartholomew is quoted as saying.
- Turkish," Bartholomew is quoted as saying.
- Yazidi," Bartholomew is quoted as saying.


Francis," Bartholomew is quoted as saying.