Pope Benedict XVI

“ From here, Ephesus (that is also loved and honored by our Muslim friends) which is blessed because of Holy Mary’s presence, we raise our special prayers to God for the peace of all people in the world.

Prayers for international peace and universal solidarity and reconcilation with Christians were taken from Pope Benedict XVI’s speech on 26th November, 2006 during his visit in the House of Mary. 

Appearing in his white vestments in front of the community, Pope moved in the ceremony area in a warm atmosphere filled with acclamations of praise and claps of the pilgrims. After blessing the altar with incense, he started Holy Mass with Turkish sentences. In his homily he cited words of peace generally and mentioned especially the efforts of unity of all churches and the expectations of Turkish Churches in the future.

Holy Mass continued with a great attendance of pious and zealous community.