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Pope Leo XIV Arrives in Türkiye for First Trip Overseas
Pope Leo XIV begins historic first foreign visit in Türkiye — a journey of diplomacy, dialogue and Christian-Muslim reconciliation.
- Publish date: since 6 days Reading time: two min read
The newly elected pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, landed in Ankara on 27 November 2025 to begin his first-ever overseas trip — a high-stakes journey that takes him first to Türkiye, and then to Lebanon.
Upon arrival at Esenboğa Airport, Pope Leo was greeted by Turkish officials, including the culture and tourism minister, and later took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Türkiye — a symbolic gesture underscoring respect for Türkiye’s secular heritage and modern identity.
Later the same day, he met Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye’s president, at the presidential complex. Their talks are expected to address Vatican–Türkiye relations alongside pressing regional issues, including developments in Palestine, signaling the Vatican’s renewed engagement with the Muslim world under Leo’s leadership.
In a speech accompanying his arrival, Pope Leo called for global peace and unity, emphasizing that despite differences in religion or belief, humanity must stand together. He described the trip as an opportunity “to proclaim how important peace is throughout the world.”
Over the coming days, his Türkiye itinerary includes visits to historic and religious landmarks: Istanbul’s mosques, ecumenical meetings with Christian and Orthodox leaders, and a pilgrimage to İznik (ancient Nicaea) to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea — a milestone in Christian history. Such engagements highlight his commitment to interfaith dialogue and Christian unity.
Observers view this trip as a defining moment for the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. By choosing a majority-Muslim country with deep historical and religious significance as his first destination, the Vatican appears keen to project a message of reconciliation, cross-cultural respect, and renewed diplomacy in a region beset by conflict and division.
In a global climate marked by religious tension and geopolitical instability, Pope Leo’s Türkiye visit sets a hopeful tone — one of dialogue, mutual respect, and peace. As the world watches, this first overseas trip may offer critical signals about the direction of Vatican diplomacy and Christian-Muslim relations under his papacy.
This article was previously published on saudimoments. To see the original article, click here