Pope Leo XIV arrived in Turkey today at 12:23 p.m. His Holiness, who landed at Ankara Esenboğa Airport, was welcomed by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Akif Çağatay Kılıç, and the accompanying Turkish delegation. The Archbishop of Izmir and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Turkey, Monsignor Martin Kmetec, together with accompanying Catholic clergy, joined His Holiness as representatives of the local Church.

 

His Holiness’s first stop was Anıtkabir. Pope Leo laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, paying him his deep respects. After Turkish and Vatican officials posed for photographs together, His Holiness wrote down his thoughts in Anıtkabir’s Book of Honor. In the book, the Holy Father wrote: “I give thanks to God that I am able to visit Turkey and I wish this country and its people an abundance of peace and prosperity.”

 

After Anıtkabir, Pope Leo proceeded to Beştepe, where he was received with a ceremony by President Erdoğan at the presidential complex. When His Holiness stepped out of his official car, he greeted President Erdoğan, who was there to welcome him. The two then went on to their meeting. Following the talks, a joint press conference was held in the hall of the Nation’s Library at the Presidential Complex. Speaking at the conference, Erdoğan stated that people of different identities live together as brothers in Turkey and that they have always supported non-Muslims. Pope Leo, for his part, said that Christians in Turkey are Turkish and that they wish to serve this country. The Pope also drew attention to the importance of the family among Turks, underlining that the Turkish Nation has a wonderful history. His Holiness added that Turkey is an important actor in the Mediterranean. After the speeches, a choir performing Christian and Islamic hymns added color to the event.

Having concluded his bilateral meetings with President Erdoğan, Pope Leo XIV then visited the President of Religious Affairs, Safi Arpaguş, in his office. The meeting was held behind closed doors to the press, and several prominent figures from the religious affairs community were also part of the delegation.

Photo: Vatican Media