In Turkey, Pope calls for ISIS opposition

Pope Francis on Friday decried the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria’s (ISIS) assault on religious minorities while visiting Turkey.

Speaking to Turkish officials at President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s new presidential palace, Francis sought to rally Muslim leaders against extremists who use religion to justify acts of terrorism.

{mosads}”Fanaticism and fundamentalism, as well as irrational fears which foster misunderstanding and discrimination, need to be countered by the solidarity of all believers,” Francis said during his second trip to the Middle East this year.

Erdogan said prejudices against Muslims helped fuel radical Islamic groups in the Middle East and Africa.

“Those who feel defeated, wronged, oppressed and abandoned … can become open to being exploited by terror organizations,” Erdogan explained.