30.11.2025 16:00
Pope Leo XIII departed from Turkey on a flight that took off from Istanbul Atatürk Airport at 14:55, following a four-day visit to the country. The Pope was seen off by a delegation consisting of Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Istanbul Governor Davut Gül. As he ascended the steps of the plane, the Pope waved to those who came to bid him farewell. The next destination for Pope Leo XIII will be Lebanon.
Vatican State President Pope 14. Leo visited Anıtkabir on November 27 and met with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Complex. After his program in Ankara, Pope Leo arrived in Istanbul in the evening and visited Saint Esprit Church and the Bomonti French Hospice on Friday, November 28. After his meetings here, Pope 14. Leo went to İznik by helicopter, where he examined the ruins of the Basilica of Saint Neophytos, which had been submerged for years, on the shores of Lake İznik and conducted a service in the archaeological site.
VISITED SULTANAHMET MOSQUE
On the third day of his visit, Pope 14. Leo left his residence at 09:30 and went to Sultanahmet Mosque. He was welcomed at the mosque entrance by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Istanbul Provincial Mufti Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emrullah Tuncel, and the Director of Foundations 1st Region Yavuz Güner. Afterward, Pope Leo visited the Mor Efrem Syriac Ancient Orthodox Church in Yeşilköy, where he met with representatives of the church and Christian communities. Meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Pope 14. Leo conducted a service at the Volkswagen Arena attended by thousands of people later that day.
"ACCEPTED ANDREA MINGUZZI"
On the fourth day of his visit to Turkey, Pope 14. Leo continued his meetings in Istanbul and accepted Andrea Minguzzi, the father of Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi, who was stabbed to death at a flea market in Kadıköy. Later, Pope Leo visited the Patriarchate Church in Kumkapı and attended the service held there. After a visit lasting about half an hour, he moved to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Balat around 10:00. Pope 14. Leo and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew attended the service held at the Church of St. George within the patriarchate together.
DEPARTED FROM TURKEY
Pope 14. Leo left the Ecumenical Patriarchate around 14:20, and a farewell ceremony was held for him at Atatürk Airport. Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, Ambassador Ahmet Cemil Miroğlu, and officials welcomed the Pope at the State Guest House. Pope 14. Leo waved to those seeing him off from the steps of the plane as he departed from Turkey to go to Lebanon.