Pope Leo XIV Begins Tour of Turkey, Lebanon Focused on Interfaith Dialog, Peace
ISTANBUL - Pope Leo XIV embarked on his first foreign trip today, beginning with a visit to Turkey where he is expected to address the challenges faced by the country’s Christian minority and advocate for religious freedom. The Pope’s visit comes as Turkey, a secular nation with a population of almost 86 million, hosts an estimated 180,000 Christians – including Armenians, Assyrians, Turkish Christians, and Greek Orthodox Christians – primarily in Istanbul.
During his time in Turkey, Leo visited the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the turkish republic, and met with President Erdogan. Discussions are anticipated to cover the status of Christians in the region, interfaith dialogue with Islam, and the ongoing conflict in gaza. A key topic of conversation is the potential reopening of the Greek Orthodox Seminary on Heybeliada island, closed in 1971 due to restrictions on private higher education. President Erdogan indicated in September, during a visit to the White House, that he would “do his part” to facilitate the school’s reopening.
The Pope’s itinerary also includes a visit to Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, continuing a tradition established by his predecessors Benedict XVI and Francis.
Following his engagements in turkey,Pope Leo XIV will travel to Lebanon on Sunday,at the invitation of Lebanese bishops,to deliver a message of peace and reconciliation.The Pope has consistently positioned Vatican City as a neutral ground for peace negotiations, a role echoed by President Erdogan’s efforts to mediate international conflicts.Leo has proclaimed peace and reconciliation as central to his papacy, advocating for dialogue and disarmament in conflicts ranging from Ukraine to the Middle East. He is scheduled to return to Rome on Tuesday afternoon.
