Pope Leo Opens First Foreign Tour, Calls For Dialogue In Turkey

By ANDERSON (ANDY) CLIFF

POPE Leo XIV began his first overseas trip on Thursday with a visit to Ankara, where he met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and called for renewed global dialogue and patience in resolving conflicts.

Speaking at the Turkish National Library, Leo praised Turkey’s historic role as a cultural and religious bridge and described the country as “a key place for Christianity.” He was received with military honors at the presidential palace and earlier laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Erdoğan said the visit strengthens “common ground” between Turkey and the Vatican, noting the pope’s planned visits to the religious affairs directorate and Istanbul’s Blue Mosque as signs of deeper engagement with the Muslim world.

Leo’s trip aims to encourage Turkey’s small Christian communities and advance unity among Christian churches. He is also expected to raise concerns about religious freedom, including the long-closed Halki seminary.

After meetings in Ankara, the pope will travel to Istanbul for talks with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, then head to İznik to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea with prayers at the recently uncovered Basilica of St. Neophytos.

He will continue to Lebanon on Sunday before returning to Rome on 2 December.