28.11.2025 19:35
The spiritual leader of Catholics, Pope Leo XIII, arrived in the district of İznik in Bursa as part of his first foreign program, where citizens gathered in the area chanted "Allahu Akbar." Those moments were also captured on camera; after leading a mass in the historic basilica, the Pope returned to Istanbul.
As the official guest of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Pope Leo XIII, who is making his first foreign visit, held meetings in Istanbul and Iznik.
HE WENT TO IZNIK
The Pope addressed bishops, priests, deacons, and spiritual officials at the Saint Esprit Cathedral in Harbiye. He then visited the French Poor House Nursing Home.
Afterwards, the Pope traveled to Iznik by helicopter and participated in the ceremony held for the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea alongside Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
A SINGLE SLOGAN ROSE FROM THE CROWD
As the spiritual leader of Catholics, Pope Leo XIII arrived in the Iznik district of Bursa as part of his first foreign program, where citizens gathered and chanted takbir.
HE RETURNED TO ISTANBUL
After leading a mass at the historic basilica in Iznik, the Pope returned to Istanbul.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
The Pope, who came to Turkey, had a private meeting with President Erdoğan at the Presidential Complex. He addressed President Erdoğan and the guests in the Cihannüma Hall of the Presidential Library.
In his speech, Erdoğan emphasized that it was 'meaningful' for the Pope's first foreign visit to take place in Turkey after his appointment, stating, "As heirs of a history where different cultures and civilizations live together, side by side, and in peace, we are doing and will do whatever is necessary to foster a global environment of peace and stability."
After the programs at the Presidential Complex, Pope Leo XIII went to the Directorate of Religious Affairs, where he met with the President of Religious Affairs, Arpaguş.