Moscow (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The Patriarchate of Moscow has described the recent journey of Benedict XVI to Turkey as “important”, and has expressed hope that it will contribute to promoting sincere dialogue between the two sister Churches. Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, deputy head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations, said: "The visit of the Pope to Turkey (28 November – 1 December is indisputably important for the mutual understanding of Christians and Muslims, for the development of Turkey's relations with Western Europe, for the Orthodox-Catholic dialogue.” In an interview with the Russian press, Chaplin said that despite the actions of some extremists, the majority of Turkish Muslims and their spiritual leaders viewed the Pope’s visit favorably.

He dwelt on the significance of the meeting between Benedict XVI and Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, “one of the few but one of the most famous and historically important Orthodox Churches”. As for the joint declaration signed on 30 November between the two religious leaders, the archpriest said the document contains "many correct thoughts about the development of the dialogue and cooperation between Orthodox and Catholic Christians." He added: "I hope they will be specified in the process of relations between the Vatican and each of the local Orthodox Churches," he said.