A weary pope urges Greek, Turkish Cypriots to heal division

By NICOLE WINFIELD and MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS
Associated Press

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Pope Francis is urging Greek Cypriots and breakaway Turkish Cypriots to resume talks on reunifying the Mediterranean island nation. At the start of his visit to Cyprus, Francis says threats and shows of force are only prolonging the “terrible laceration” its people have endured for nearly a half-century. A weary-looking Francis made the appeal as he arrived in the ethnically divided Cypriot capital at the start of a five-day visit that will also take him to Greece, a similarly Orthodox majority country on Europe’s eastern edge. Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes the Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence in the north.