28.11.2025 10:36
The President of the Vatican City, Pope Leo XIII, was officially welcomed by President Erdoğan last night during his visit to Turkey. During the meeting, Pope Leo XIII delivered a critical message, urging President Erdoğan to take on a role as a source of stability. This call from the Pope resonated widely in the global press. France 24 headlined, "The Pope said Turkey has a special role," while The Guardian stated, "Turkey and Lebanon are strategic points for the Pope."
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had a private meeting with Vatican State President Pope Leo XIII. The meeting at the Presidential Complex lasted approximately half an hour. Following the discussions, President Erdoğan and Pope Leo XIII addressed the guests in the Cihannüma Hall of the Presidential National Library.
Pope Leo XIII expressed the following in his speech; "Thank you very much for your kind welcome. I am pleased to begin my foreign travels during my papacy by visiting your country. This country has inseparable ties to the origins of Christianity. And today, it invites the children of Abraham and all humanity to a brotherhood that recognizes and appreciates differences. The natural beauties of your country encourage us to protect what God has created. The cultural, artistic, and spiritual richness of the lands you inhabit reminds us that when different generations, traditions, and ideas come together, development and wisdom unite to form a whole, thus shaping great civilizations.
"AMBITIONS THAT VIOLATE JUSTICE AND PEACE..."
On one hand, it is true that there have been centuries of conflicts in human history and that our world is still unstable due to ambitions and choices that violate justice and peace. At the same time, when challenges arise, being a people with such a magnificent past is both a gift and a responsibility.
The image of the bridge over the strait, chosen as the logo of my journey, beautifully expresses your country's special role. You have an important place in both the present and future of the Mediterranean and the entire world. Above all, you value your internal diversity.
"THIS BRIDGE CONNECTS TURKEY TO ITSELF"
Before uniting Asia with Europe, East with West, this bridge connects Turkey to itself. This bridge creates a point of intersection for sensitivities by bringing together the different regions of the country and doing so within itself. In such a case, uniformity leads to impoverishment. Indeed, a society that has pluralism is alive. Because it is the bridges that connect its people that make that society civil.
BBC: CALLED ON ERDOĞAN TO PLAY A ROLE AS A SOURCE OF STABILITY
Pope Leo XIII's call for President Erdoğan to play a role as a source of stability made significant waves. While the Pope's call resonated widely in the world press, the British broadcaster BBC emphasized that Pope Leo's first foreign trip was to Turkey, stating; "During his visit to Turkey, Pope Leo XIII warned that the world should not succumb to an increasing level of conflict on a global scale. The Pope highlighted that 'the future of humanity is at risk,' calling for the promotion of dialogue and stability and urging President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to take on a role as a source of stability.
"POPE SAID TURKEY HAS A SPECIAL ROLE"
France 24 also drew attention to the same call, writing; "Pope Leo called for Turkey to adopt a mediating role among nations during his first foreign visit of his papacy. Turkey is increasingly positioning itself as a key mediator alongside major Western powers, regularly participating in efforts to resolve many crises ranging from the Ukraine war to the Gaza conflict, and beyond the Horn of Africa.
Leo stated that Turkey has a "special role" as a bridge between East and West, Asia and Europe; he also emphasized that it is a "point where sensitivities intersect" and that it has become even richer thanks to its internal diversity."
"TURKEY AND LEBANON ARE STRATEGIC POINTS FOR THE POPE"
The Guardian newspaper included the evaluations of Vatican expert Christopher White in its report. White stated, "This trip will be a visit that promotes peace, one of the central themes of Leo's papacy," and added; "Turkey and Lebanon are strategic points for him to strengthen his peace efforts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Moreover, since this is his first foreign trip, world leaders will be closely following the journey."
"THE VISIT UNDERLINES TURKEY'S REGIONAL POWER"
NBC News featured the views of Miles Pattenden, a historian of the Catholic Church at Oxford University, regarding Pope Leo's visit. Pattenden stated, "Turkey is an important country and has a significant influence throughout the Middle East," and added, "This visit underscores that Turkey is an important regional power."
AL JAZEERA: THE TIMING IS HIGHLY SYMBOLIC
Al Jazeera emphasized that the timing of the visit is highly symbolic, stating, "The visit is seen as a message that the Pope wants to engage not only with Christians but also with other religions."