(zaman) - After his official meetings in Ankara on Tuesday, Pope Benedict XVI received foreign diplomats at the Vatican Embassy.
The pontiff delivered a speech in English and French where he underlined that Turkey has always been a bridge between the East and the West and a crossroads of religions and cultures, reports Trend.
The pope stated that Turkey made an important step towards being a modern state by choosing a secular regime.
Benedict went on to say that civil authorities were obliged to provide security and freedom for its religious communities. He expressed wishes for the freedom to use these privileges regardless of religion.
Lebanese Ambassador to Ankara George Siam made a short speech in the name of the participants at the reception.
The pope gave several gifts to his guests, including the mission chiefs of the USA, Italy, Argentina, Cuba, Croatia, Tunisia, Egypt, Hungary, Greece, Romania, Pakistan, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Morocco, Iraq, Lebanon, Japan, Portugal, Holland, Sweden and England.