ANKARA: Pope Leo XIV began a four-day visit to Turkiye on Thursday, calling on Ankara to embrace its role as a mediator in global conflicts. During talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the pontiff urged Turkiye to serve as a source of stability and reconciliation between peoples.
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“Today more than ever, we need people who will promote dialogue and practise it, with firm will and patient resolve,” Pope Leo said, acknowledging Turkiye’s increasing involvement in conflict-resolution efforts in Gaza, Ukraine, and other regions. This marks the first overseas trip of his papacy, which will also take him to Istanbul and the historic city of Iznik before heading to Lebanon on Sunday.
“Uniformity would be an impoverishment. A society is alive if it has a plurality,” Pope Leo said, noting that Christians, though a minority of roughly 100,000 in a population of 86 million, are part of Turkish identity and contribute positively to national unity.
During meeting with officials and diplomatic corps, HH Leo XIV praised Türkiye’s rich history, cultural and natural heritage, and its unique role as a bridge between continents. He called for mutual respect between religions, warned against global polarisation, and saluted… pic.twitter.com/ImAB1EeM3e
— Hendrik Van de Velde (@hendrik_velde) November 27, 2025
Upon arrival, Pope Leo visited the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkiye, before heading to the presidential complex for discussions with Erdogan. The pontiff highlighted Turkiye’s unique position as a bridge between East and West and praised its internal diversity as a source of societal strength.
President Erdogan welcomed the pontiff, emphasizing that Turkiye sees cultural, religious, and ethnic differences as a source of enrichment rather than division. He also applauded Pope Leo’s advocacy for the Palestinian cause, stressing the importance of implementing a two-state solution to achieve justice for the Palestinian people.
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Friday’s itinerary will focus on religious celebrations, including the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea in Iznik, a historic gathering of bishops in 325 that produced a statement of faith central to Christianity. The visit underscores Turkiye’s growing role in international diplomacy and highlights the Vatican’s commitment to interfaith dialogue and global peace.