Pope's tells Turkish leaders: Turkey has a ‘great responsibility to promote regional peace’

On arriving in the Turkish capital Ankara at the start of his three-day visit to the country, Pope Francis immediately addressed the issue of the violence and terrorism that currently lays waste large tracts of Turkey’s neighbours, Syria and Iraq.  “How much longer must the Middle East suffer the consequences of this lack of peace?” he asked the assembled civic and political leaders at the presidential palace. Read the full speech below.   Mr PresidentMr Prime Minister,Distinguished Authorities,Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to visit your country so rich in natural beauty and history, and filled with vestiges of ancient civilisations. It is a natural bridge between two continents and diverse cultures. This land is precious to every Christian for being