ANKARA — Pope Leo XIV arrives in the Republic of Türkiye, commencing a significant Apostolic Journey aimed at fostering diplomatic ties and interreligious dialogue in the bridge between East and West. Upon his arrival in the capital city of Ankara, the Holy Father’s first official act was a gesture of profound respect for the host nation’s history: a visit to the Anıtkabir Mausoleum.

The Anıtkabir, the monumental resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first President of the modern Turkish Republic, serves as a site of great national importance. In keeping with state protocol, Pope Leo XIV participated in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony.

Amidst a hushed silence, the Pope walked the “Road of Lions” and paused in prayerful reflection before the mausoleum, paying tribute to the figure who established the secular republic a century ago. following the ceremony, His Holiness signed the Book of Honor (Anıtkabir Özel Defteri). In his inscription, the Pope emphasized the vital role of Turkey as a natural bridge for brotherhood and peace between continents and cultures, invoking blessings of prosperity upon the Turkish people.

Following the formal tribute, Pope Leo XIV took time to visit the museum within the Anıtkabir complex, which is dedicated to the life and legacy of Atatürk and the Turkish War of Independence.

State Welcome at the Presidential Palace

After concluding his visit to the mausoleum, the Papal motorcade transferred to the Presidential Complex (Cumhurbaşkanlığı Külliyesi) for the official Welcome Ceremony.

The Holy Father was received with full State honors, including a military guard of honor and the playing of the national anthems of both the Holy See and the Republic of Türkiye. This marks the first institutional moment of the Apostolic Journey.

Currently, Pope Leo XIV is engaged in a private official meeting with the President of Türkiye. This meeting is expected to cover crucial topics, including the status of the Christian minority in the country, the importance of religious freedom, and Turkey’s pivotal role in current regional peace efforts.

Following the private exchange, the Pope is scheduled to meet with other civil authorities and the diplomatic corps, where he will deliver his first public address of the trip.

Stay tuned to EWTN and Theotokos.tr for continued live coverage of Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Journey to Türkiye.