UPD – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Pope Leo XIV on Thursday afternoon at the Presidential Palace, as the head of the Roman Catholic Church began his historic official visit. The Turkish president greeted him during this highly significant visit, attended also by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, according to an official announcement from the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Patriarch Bartholomew accepted Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s invitation and is in Ankara to participate in the formal reception ceremony.

The Pope was received in his capacity as Head of State (Vatican City), and consequently began his visit by laying a wreath at the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, as do all visiting heads of state on official visits to Turkey.

The pope and the Turkish president then addressed a large audience that included Turkish authorities, representatives of civil society, and the diplomatic corps serving in Ankara.

“I willingly assure you that Christians desire to contribute positively to the unity of your country,” the pope said, a remark that naturally includes the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Istanbul’s dwindling Greek Orthodox community, that has suffered discrimination over many decades, as Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew over the years has often underlined.
“They are, and feel part of, Turkish identity, which was highly esteemed [pope] Saint John XXIII, whom you remember as the “Turkish Pope” for the deep friendship that always bound him to your people. He was Administrator of the Latin Vicariate of Istanbul and Apostolic Delegate in Türkiye and Greece from 1935 to 1945…”  Pope Leo added.
In a more political vein, Erdogan praised Leo’s calls for peace and the need to cease the violence in Palestine.  “We commend (the pope’s) astute stance on the Palestinian issue,” Erdogan said.
Erdogan also  extolled the pope’s persistent calls for peace in Ukraine.

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Turkey on Thursday, Nov. 27 for a four-day visit, marking the first international trip of his papacy—a journey that will later take him to Lebanon, according to an AFP journalist traveling aboard the papal plane.

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV

The 267th Bishop of Rome—Vicar of Jesus Christ, Metropolitan and Archbishop of the Roman Province and Sovereign of Vatican City State—embarks on a journey he has described as rich in symbolism.

The trip coincides with what he has called a Jubilee Year, marking 1,700 years since the First Ecumenical Council. It is expected to be particularly challenging, involving sensitive political and diplomatic meetings in both Turkey and Lebanon.

Pope Leo Turkey

Pope Leo XIV

Accompanying the Pope is a high-level delegation: four cardinals—two from the Holy See’s diplomatic corps and two specializing in relations with Christian Churches—along with four archbishops, including the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, as well as his two personal secretaries. They form the core team of the pontiff’s first Apostolic Journey.