Turkish leaders send messages of condolence to Vatican

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the Pope as a leader of the Catholic world who had worked to promote peace.
“I offer my deep condolences to you and the whole Catholic world on behalf of my government,” Erdogan said in his message sent to Rome Sunday.
Another to send his condolences was Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül, who said that the Pope had guided all humanity with his wisdom and talent and had served as an inspiration.
“The Pope will also be remembered for the efforts he launched for the protection of world peace,” Gül said.
A statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Sunday said that Pope John Paul’s death was an important loss in the name of tolerance and peace.
“Pope John Paul, acting in tolerance and love, reiterated calls for co-operation and solidarity against every difficulty which humanity faced throughout his 27-year old mission,” the statement said.