Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Türkiye on Thursday, calling it “a very important step that strengthens our common ground.” The pope arrived in Ankara for his first trip abroad, which includes stops in Türkiye and Lebanon.
Pope Leo will remain in Türkiye through Sunday on an official visit at Erdogan’s invitation. His schedule includes Ankara, Istanbul, and Iznik, a historic early Christian center known in antiquity as Nicaea.
Visit Comes Amid Global Tensions
Speaking at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Erdogan said the pope’s trip comes at a time of rising regional and global tensions. He noted that messages delivered from Türkiye during the visit could “strengthen hope for peace” across both the Muslim and Christian worlds.
‘Intolerance Feeds Conflict’
Erdogan warned that intolerance, discrimination, and xenophobia continue to drive conflict worldwide.
“Intolerance feeds conflict, and conflict feeds division and hatred,” he said, pointing to the rise of Islamophobia and xenophobia in the West.
He added that Türkiye continues to pursue the difficult path of promoting peace and justice, even as conflicts and crises surround the region.
The Turkish president also said the pope’s calls for dialogue remain crucial in diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Türkiye, he noted, is closely watching ongoing peace initiatives and stands ready to support efforts that could bring the conflict to an end.
Erdogan Condemns Gaza Attacks
Erdogan also addressed the ongoing genocide in Gaza, stressing that the global community owes the Palestinian people “a debt of justice.” He urged renewed commitment to a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders.
He said Türkiye and the Vatican would continue working together to protect the historical identity of East Jerusalem.
The president condemned Israeli strikes on civilian areas in Gaza, including mosques and churches. He pointed to the recent damage to Gaza’s Holy Family Church, a Catholic-run place of worship, as an example of attacks on religious heritage.
“Preserving the historical status quo in Jerusalem carries critical importance,” Erdogan said.
Pope Praises Türkiye’s Role as Mediator
Pope Leo XIV said Türkiye holds an important place in the Mediterranean and the wider world. He praised the country for valuing cultural and religious diversity.
He urged Ankara to continue acting as a mediator in global conflicts.
“May Türkiye be a source of stability and rapprochement between peoples,” he said. “Today more than ever, we need people who will promote dialogue and practice it with firm will and patient resolve.”
The pope warned that escalating global conflicts could lead to a third world war.
“The future of humanity is at stake,” he said. “We must in no way give in to this.”
He added that despite lessons learned from the two world wars and the creation of major international institutions, the world is now facing “a heightened level of conflict fueled by strategies of economic and military power.”
