CW: Pope Benedict traveled to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus last weekend. It was a short trip, but it touched on themes that are important throughout the Middle East. We’ll look back on the trip on this week’s Vatican Report. I’m Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service.JT: And I’m John Thavis, CNS Rome bureau chief. The main purpose of the Pope’s visit to Cyprus was to present to church leaders of the region the working document for the Synod of Bishops on the Middle East, which will be held at the Vatican in October. But this trip began under a shadow. The day before the Pope arrived, the president of the Turkish bishops’ conference, Bishop Luigi Padovese, was stabbed to death, apparently by his own driver, who was said to be emotionally disturbed. Cindy, you were on the Pope’s plane going to Cyprus, and he spoke about this tragedy.CW: He did, and he said he wanted to underline that the killing was not motivated by interreligious tensions between Muslims and Christians, which some people initially feared. Dialogue with Muslims is expected to be a big theme of this fall’s synod, and the working document the Pope unveiled in Cyprus was pretty strongly worded. The document said relations between the two faiths are difficult, and that Middle East Christians are often considered non-citizens by Muslims who make no distinction between religion and politics. It said the key to harmony between Christians and Muslims is to recognize religious freedom and human rights.JT: Cyprus in many ways is a microcosm of the tensions and divisions in the Middle East. It has been divided between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots since 1974, and one of the first things the Pope did was to bless an olive tree as a sign of hope for peace. The Pope also lamented the loss of a significant part of the cultural heritage on Cyprus. That was a reference to the many Christian churches and villages that have been plundered in the northern part of the country over the last 35 years. He said the predominantly Christian population of southern Cyprus and the predominantly Muslim population of the North must learn to speak to one another and respect one another.CW: The Pope’s visit also highlighted the strong ecumenical ties in the region, which will be another focus of the October synod. The vast majority of Christians in Cyprus belong to the Orthodox Church, and Orthodox Archbishop Chrysostomos II was at the Pope’s side for much of the visit. He even hosted a luncheon for the Pope at his residence.JT: This was the third of five foreign trips for Pope Benedict this year. He is 83-years-old and he has a busy schedule even here at the Vatican. A lot of people think the Pope must feel under siege these days as the church continues to deal with the sex abuse crisis. But that hasn’t really slowed him down or made him a stay-at-home Pope. Cindy, you were in Cyprus with the Pope, how did he look and sound during the visit?CW: The weather was hot, the days were long and filled with appointments, but the Pope really does seem energized – and sometimes even surprised – by the enthusiasm and affection of the crowds. Catholics in Cyprus are a tiny minority and obviously wanted to share their music, their culture and their dances with the Pope. He sat through it all with a smile and gave the children who danced or played for him a fatherly blessing. I’m Cindy Wooden.JT: And I’m John Thavis, Catholic News Service.

CW: Pope Benedict traveled to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus last weekend. It was a short trip, but it touched on themes that are important throughout the Middle East. We’ll look back on the...leggi tutto