27.11.2025 13:55
Pope Leo XIII, the head of the Vatican State, began his first foreign trip covering Turkey and Lebanon, during which he visited Anıtkabir. After laying a wreath at the mausoleum, Pope Leo XIII signed the Special Book. In the note he wrote, he expressed, "I thank God for being able to visit Turkey, and I wish abundant peace and prosperity upon this country and its people."
The first foreign trip of Vatican State President Pope Leo XIII, covering Turkey and Lebanon, has begun. The Pope was welcomed at Ankara Esenboğa Airport by a delegation that included Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.
FIRST STOP WAS ANITKABIR
Pope Leo XIII's first stop was Anıtkabir, the eternal resting place of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. After laying a wreath at the mausoleum and paying his respects, Pope Leo XIII proceeded to the Misak-ı Milli Tower to sign the Anıtkabir Special Book.
HERE IS THE NOTE HE WROTE IN THE SPECIAL BOOK
Pope Leo XIII's note in the Anıtkabir Special Book included the following expressions: "I thank God for being able to visit Turkey, and I wish abundant peace and prosperity upon this country and its people."
OVER 70 JOURNALISTS FOLLOWING THE VISIT
Along with the Pope, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State (Prime Minister), and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States (Foreign Minister), arrived in Turkey with over 70 journalists who will follow this trip. The Pope will then proceed to the Presidential Complex. President Erdoğan will welcome Pope Leo XIII with an official ceremony, after which the two leaders will have a private meeting. The Pope will also meet with civil society and diplomatic representatives, in addition to official authorities.
MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE DIRECTORATE OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS
After his meetings at the Complex, Pope Leo XIII will visit the Directorate of Religious Affairs to meet with the President of the Directorate, Safi Arpaguş. Following the official meetings in the capital, Pope Leo XIII will travel from Ankara to Istanbul in the evening of the same day.
WILL ATTEND A SERVICE IN IZNIK
Tomorrow, the Pope will first meet with bishops, priests, deacons, and spiritual officials at the Saint Esprit Catholic Church (Holy Spirit Cathedral) in Harbiye, Istanbul, and then visit the French Charity House. In the afternoon of the same day, Pope Leo XIII will travel by helicopter to İznik, Bursa, to attend a service commemorating the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea.
WILL ALSO VISIT SULTANAHMET
Pope Leo XIII will visit the Sultan Ahmed Mosque on November 29, and then visit the Mor Efrem Syriac Ancient Orthodox Church to hold a meeting with local church leaders and leaders of Christian communities. His next stops will be the St. George Church and the Phanar Greek Patriarchate, where he will meet with Patriarch Bartholomew and then sign a joint declaration.
CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT VOLKSWAGEN ARENA
Pope Leo XIII's program on Saturday will continue with a ceremony at Volkswagen Arena. He will also continue his visits on Sunday, November 30, and in the afternoon will travel from Atatürk Airport to Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, for the second leg of his trip.
THE 5TH POPE TO VISIT TURKEY
Pope Leo XIII is the fifth Pope to visit Turkey. Previously, Pope Francis visited in 2014, Pope Benedict XVI in 2006, Pope John Paul II in 1979, and Pope Paul VI in 1967.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ST. NEOPHYTOS BASILICA
Meanwhile, underwater archaeological excavations and research that began in 2015 are ongoing at the St. Neophytos Basilica, which Pope Leo XIII will visit in İznik. Noting that the church is the largest known church in İznik, Excavation Director Prof. Dr. Mustafa Şahin emphasized that they have gathered and evaluated the data, findings, remains, and cultural assets obtained from the excavations to assert that this is the Holy Fathers Church, which has been known for centuries but has never been discovered, and that this hypothesis has been accepted in the Christian world.
“COULD BECOME A PILGRIMAGE CENTER FOR CHRISTIANS”
Şahin stated, "By visiting this area, the Pope could perhaps turn this church into a pilgrimage center for Christians. If this church becomes an important stop after the Pope's visit, our country will have a very significant destination in terms of faith tourism." It was revealed that the structure, initially built as a small church in honor of St. Neophytos, was destroyed in the 358 earthquake and was rebuilt as the Holy Fathers Church in its second phase after the year 380.
A MEETING ACCEPTED BY ALL DENOMINATIONS OF CHRISTIANITY
Şahin expressed that the First Council held in İznik from May 20 to July 25, 325, is a meeting accepted by all denominations of Christianity, noting that written sources point to a small church in İznik as the location of the First Council, and they have determined that this small church is the state of the basilica in its first phase as a result of their studies.