02.07.2025 17:44
Emine Erdoğan, the wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, met with Pope Leo XIII, the spiritual leader of Catholics and the Head of State of the Vatican. During the meeting, topics such as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, efforts to combat climate change, the fight against Islamophobia and racism, and the importance of the family's presence in society were discussed.
The event titled "Economy Based on Brotherhood: Ethical Multilateralism," which will take place at the Papal Institute of Social Sciences, was attended by Emine Erdoğan, the wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is in the Vatican to speak. During her visit, she also met with Pope Leo XIII at the Vatican Apostolic Palace. The meeting addressed issues such as the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, efforts to combat climate change, the fight against Islamophobia and racism, and the importance of the family's presence in society. Erdoğan congratulated the newly elected Pope Leo XIII and wished that this would bring good fortune to the Christian world.
EMINE ERDOGAN HIGHLIGHTED THE HUMANITARIAN TRAGEDY IN GAZA
During the meeting, while emphasizing the humanitarian tragedy occurring in Gaza under Israeli attack and blockade, Emine Erdoğan called on the Pope, stating, "The Christian world must support Gaza more loudly" for a permanent ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Emine Erdoğan conveyed the importance of implementing a two-state solution as soon as possible for lasting and sustainable peace in Palestine and increasing the number of countries that officially recognize the State of Palestine. Erdoğan also communicated to the Pope that Christians living in the region, whose churches and communities are constantly under threat, should also find peace.
"VATICAN ALSO SUPPORTS THE TWO-STATE SOLUTION AND PEACE IN PALESTINE"
It was learned that Pope Leo XIII told Emine Erdoğan that the Vatican has been acting according to the principle of being part of the solution in the Middle East for many years and that the Vatican also supports the two-state solution and peace in Palestine.
INVITATION TO SUPPORT THE "ZERO WASTE" MOVEMENT TO THE POPE
During the meeting, Emine Erdoğan pointed out that the international community is facing many vital challenges today, one of which is the fight against climate change. Erdoğan mentioned the "Zero Waste" movement they initiated in Turkey, which she personally prioritizes, to the Pope.
Emine Erdoğan expressed her belief that the issue of combating climate change holds strong potential for cooperation between the Vatican and Turkey, and she emphasized the importance of the Pope supporting the "Zero Waste" movement, which has been institutionalized within the United Nations (UN). It was learned that Pope Leo XIII responded, "We must definitely find ways to work together."
CALL FOR A COMMON WILL TO COMBINE EFFORTS AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA AND RACISM
During the meeting, Erdoğan drew attention to the alarming increase in Islamophobia, racism, and intolerance, emphasizing that these trends pose a danger not only to the targeted groups but to all segments of society. Emine Erdoğan stated that efforts in this regard should be united around a common will. She noted that Turkey is a geography where different beliefs and cultures have lived together in peace for centuries, and that Christian communities are an integral part of Turkey's rich mosaic.
Emine Erdoğan also conveyed that President Erdoğan approaches the issues of religious minority groups with special sensitivity, stating that the problems regarding the immovable properties of minority foundations have been resolved in favor of minorities through legislative changes.
POPE EMPHASIZED "TURKEY IS AN IMPORTANT VOICE FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST"
It was learned that during the meeting, Pope Leo XIII told Emine Erdoğan that many groups in the Middle East do not respect the rights of Christians, and that the protection of the rights of Christians and other minorities in Turkey serves as a model. The Pope stated, "Turkey is an important voice for peace in the Middle East in this regard."
POPE MAY MAKE HIS FIRST FOREIGN VISIT TO TURKEY AT THE END OF NOVEMBER
It was reported that Pope Leo XIII expressed his desire to make one of his first foreign visits as Pope to Turkey, and that officials from Turkey and the Vatican are working on this, with planning being made for the end of November. The Pope recalled that this year marks the 1700th anniversary of the Nicaea Council, stating, "Turkey is an important country for Christians, but it also serves as a significant unique bridge for building peace and plays an important role."
THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY WAS ALSO DISCUSSED IN THE MEETING
During the meeting, Erdoğan and the Pope also addressed the importance of family issues. It was emphasized that the family is the key to social peace and can actually provide solutions to many issues that are currently prominent, such as individualism and loneliness. The significance of family as an important value and place in both faiths was highlighted, and it was stressed that all Abrahamic religions should take a common stance against global threats that seek to corrupt family values.
EMINE ERDOGAN SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA
In her social media post regarding her meeting with Pope Leo XIII, Emine Erdoğan stated, "I was pleased to meet with the Spiritual Leader of the Catholic World, the Head of State of the Vatican, Pope Leo XIII, during my visit to the Vatican to participate in the program 'Economy Based on Brotherhood: Ethical Multilateralism' at the Papal Institute of Social Sciences."
In her post, Erdoğan also addressed the topics discussed during the meeting, stating:
"Our priority in the meeting was the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Gaza. We shared views on the vital importance of the Christian world taking a stronger stance for the establishment of a permanent ceasefire and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid. I expressed my satisfaction with the Vatican's support for the two-state solution, which is the foundation of a just and sustainable peace in Palestine. I also discussed the 'Zero Waste' approach, which is one of the cornerstones of our global environmental movement, with His Holiness Pope Leo XIII. We agree that the climate crisis is a common issue for all humanity, regardless of faith and geography. In this context, I emphasized that there is strong potential for cooperation between Turkey and the Vatican in combating climate change. We evaluated our areas of joint work. I express my gratitude to His Holiness Pope Leo XIII for his gracious hospitality and wish that the historical responsibility he has undertaken will yield beneficial results for the Catholic world and all humanity.
Elbette, mevcut HTML içeriğini bozmadan metni İngilizce'ye çevirebilirim. Ancak, çevirmemi istediğiniz metni belirtmediniz. Lütfen çevirmemi istediğiniz HTML içeriğini paylaşın, böylece size yardımcı olabilirim.