Nicosia, June 6 (IANS/AKI) Pope Benedict XVI, who is on a landmark visit to Cyprus, has called for a dialogue between Christians and people of other faiths.

‘Much still needs to be done throughout the world. Only by patient work can mutual trust be built,’ the 83-year-old pontiff said with regard to inter-religious dialogue Saturday.

The Mediterranean island is divided between Greek orthodox Christians and Muslim communities from Turkey.

It is the first visit to Cyprus by a pope and Benedict’s first to an orthodox country. The pope also emphasised the need for cooperation between different Christian faiths.