Pope Leo XIV Visits Turkey, Praises its Role as Stabilizing Peace Force/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Pope Leo XIV began his first international trip by urging Turkey to continue promoting peace and global dialogue. He praised the nation’s geopolitical role and addressed women’s rights concerns during a speech in Ankara. The visit marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and aims to boost interfaith relations.
Pope’s Visit to Turkey Quick Looks
- Pope Leo XIV launched his first foreign trip in Ankara, Turkey.
- He praised Turkey’s geopolitical role as a bridge between cultures.
- The Pope encouraged peacebuilding efforts in Ukraine and Gaza.
- He addressed the importance of women’s rights and participation in society.
- Leo acknowledged Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention.
- He will visit Istanbul and Lebanon as part of the tour.
- The trip commemorates 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea.
- Interfaith meetings with Muslim and Orthodox Christian leaders are scheduled.
- The Blue Mosque visit symbolizes Christian-Muslim harmony efforts.
- Many in Turkey remain focused on economic challenges despite the visit.
Pope Leo XIV Visits Turkey, Praises its Role as Stabilizing Peace Force
Deep Look
ANKARA, TURKEY — Pope Leo XIV opened his first international visit as leader of the Catholic Church with a powerful call for peace and reconciliation, praising Turkey for its role as a stabilizing force during a time of escalating global conflict. Speaking at the presidential palace in Ankara on Thursday, the American-born pope highlighted the urgent need for dialogue, mutual understanding, and collaborative peace efforts as wars in Ukraine and Gaza continue to devastate communities.
Welcomed with full honors by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a military guard, Pope Leo was greeted as both a spiritual leader and a diplomatic partner. His speech, delivered at the presidential library in front of Turkey’s diplomatic corps, emphasized the nation’s historical importance as a crossroads of culture and religion.
“May Turkey be a source of stability and rapprochement between peoples, in service of a just and lasting peace,” Leo declared, standing before a symbolic globe. “Today, more than ever, we need people who will promote dialogue and practice it with firm will and patient resolve.”
Peace and Diplomacy at the Forefront
Though Pope Leo refrained from naming specific conflicts, his remarks echoed the concerns of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who frequently warned of a “piecemeal third world war.” Echoing that sentiment, Leo criticized global priorities, lamenting vast expenditures on arms instead of addressing poverty, hunger, and environmental degradation.
“After two world wars, we are now experiencing a phase marked by a heightened level of conflict on the global level,” Leo said. “We must not give in to this. The future of humanity is at stake.”
Turkey, a nation of over 85 million people, has positioned itself as a mediator in both the Russia-Ukraine war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It has hosted peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv and recently offered to contribute to a stabilization force in Gaza.
Championing Women’s Role in Society
In a significant moment during his speech, Pope Leo acknowledged the ongoing struggles women face in Turkey. He praised the growing contributions of women in professional, academic, and political life, emphasizing the importance of their role in building a just society.
“We must greatly value the initiatives that support the family and the contribution that women make toward the full flowering of social life,” he said.
His comments come amid continued criticism of Erdogan’s 2021 withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, a landmark treaty designed to combat violence against women. Women’s rights groups have decried the withdrawal as weakening critical protections. According to the group We Will Stop Femicide, 237 women have been murdered in Turkey so far in 2025, with many more deaths under suspicious circumstances.
In response to criticism, Erdogan this week unveiled a new five-point plan to combat gender-based violence, promising legal reforms and rehabilitation efforts targeting perpetrators.
Marking a Historic Anniversary
The centerpiece of Pope Leo’s trip is the commemoration of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, a pivotal 325 AD gathering of Christian bishops that shaped key tenets of Christian theology. At that time, the Eastern and Western churches remained united—a unity that splintered in 1054 during the Great Schism.
Leo’s visit, therefore, carries both historical and theological weight. It aims to strengthen ecumenical ties between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. In Istanbul, he is scheduled to meet Orthodox leaders and participate in joint prayers.
The trip also includes an interfaith meeting with Muslim representatives, underlining Leo’s vision of religious cooperation. His scheduled visit to the Blue Mosque—a significant site for Muslim worship in Istanbul—has been welcomed by local clerics.
Asğın Tunca, the imam of the Blue Mosque, said the Pope’s visit could help break down religious stereotypes and promote mutual respect.
“We want to reflect the beauty of our faith through hospitality. That is God’s command,” he said.
First American Pope Breaks Tradition
Pope Leo’s speech in Ankara marked a notable departure from Vatican tradition—he delivered his address in English rather than Italian, acknowledging both his American heritage and the linguistic needs of the region. His first trip abroad as pontiff carries symbolic weight as he seeks to reshape the Church’s global voice and diplomatic tone.
On the papal plane, Leo recognized the significance of the moment, expressing optimism about uniting people of different backgrounds.
“We must look for the ways that all men and women can truly be brothers and sisters in spite of differences,” he told reporters.
His lighter side also emerged during the flight. On the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, he wished American journalists a happy celebration and received gifts, including pumpkin pies, a White Sox baseball bat, and team-branded slippers—a nod to his affection for Chicago’s baseball team.
Public Reaction in Turkey Mixed
Despite the symbolic importance of Leo’s visit, many Turks remain more concerned with domestic issues, especially a worsening cost-of-living crisis driven by market instability and political shifts.
Fatma Cicek Geyik, a 57-year-old artist in Ankara, welcomed the Pope’s presence but advised moderation in its reception.
“He’s welcome, his visit will bring joy,” she said. “But I don’t see it as something to exaggerate. They will leave just as they came.”
Nonetheless, the Pope’s presence has invigorated Turkey’s small Christian minority and interfaith advocates, offering hope for renewed understanding between cultures and religions.
As Leo prepares to continue his trip to Istanbul and later Lebanon, his message remains clear: unity, dialogue, and peace are not just aspirations—but urgent global imperatives.
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