ISTANBUL - Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomeow and Turkish Armenians Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan have arrived in Rome to attend the late Pope John Paul II's funeral.
In a speech delivered at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Bartholomeow remarked that he met the Pope four times in the past decade. ''Our churches worked in cooperation with each other for global peace. The Pope was a great leader.''
Bartholomeow indicated that the Pope was an important character respected by all peoples globally.
''We remember with great joy Pope's visit to Turkey. He gave utmost priority to cooperation between our churches since 1979. As you can clearly see, the whole world is crying for the Pope's demise. The Pope's messages and efforts are not merely respected by the Catholics, but other Christians and all the good individuals worldwide. We hope, with God's willing, that the Pope's successor will continue on the path that was established by the Pope. The Pope's successor has an obligation to contribute to cooperation among peoples, peace and good intentions worldwide.''
Meanwhile, Turkish Armenians Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan has remarked that the Pope had established contact with all eastern churches and other religions.
''I got together with the Pope on many occasions and prayed side by side. The Pope was truly a very humanist person. He was full of love for God and all humans. The large groups of people coming to Rome is a reflection of the love people have for the Pope. People from different religions and churches are in Rome to pray for the Pope. We are experiencing the deep sorrow of losing a true friend,'' told Mutafyan.