Pope Leo XIV arrives in Türkiye on his first foreign visit, emphasising global peace
The Pope is scheduled to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, visit major cities and attend religious ceremonies.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Türkiye on Thursday for his first official trip abroad at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and emphasised upon his arrival the importance of global peace and expressed hope that his trip would underline its significance for the world.
The pontiff was welcomed at the airport in capital Ankara by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and other officials.
Accompanying the pope are Vatican officials, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.
Departing on a special aircraft provided by Italian carrier ITA Airways and emblazoned with the papal emblem, the pope greeted more than 70 journalists from various media outlets who were covering the journey.
He said he was very pleased to undertake the trip, noting that he had eagerly anticipated it due to its significance for all Christians and the wider world.
Referring to his upcoming engagements in Türkiye and Lebanon, the pope reiterated his intention to stress the importance of peace for everyone in the world.
He also called on all people to unite in pursuing peace, noting that despite differences in religion and beliefs, humanity is fundamentally connected, and he hopes to contribute to efforts promoting peace and global unity.
The visit began with a solemn tribute to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of the founder of the Turkish Republic.
The pope is scheduled to be officially welcomed at the Presidential Complex, where he and the Turkish president will discuss Türkiye-Vatican relations and other pressing regional and global issues, including the situation in Palestine.
The two are also expected to hold a news conference at Cihannuma Hall in Türkiye’s Presidential National Library in Ankara, the world’s third-largest library.
On Friday, the pope will meet with Christian clerics at St Esprit Cathedral in Istanbul, visit the French Poorhouse Nursing Home, and travel by helicopter to Iznik for a religious service.
Saturday will see the pope visiting Sultanahmet Mosque and the Mor Ephrem Syriac Orthodox Church, where he will meet with the Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos. The day will conclude with a service at Volkswagen Arena.
The visit will wrap up with a final service at the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral and a return to the Fener Greek Patriarchate to commemorate its founding anniversary.
The pope will be in Türkiye from November 27 to 30, visiting Ankara, Istanbul and Iznik.