"Turkey invites pope to visit
(CNN) -- Turkey has said it has invited Pope Benedict XVI to pay an official visit to the mainly Muslim country next year, according to the foreign ministry.
The ministry said Thursday it had extended an invitation to the pontiff for a visit in 2006, perhaps in an attempt to win his support for Turkey's bid for membership in the European Union."
More:CNN.com - Turkey invites pope to visit - Sep 15, 2005