Erdoğan hosts Pope Leo XIV for high-level diplomatic engagement in Ankara

Pope Leo XIV, Head of the Vatican State, visited Ankara, Türkiye, for an official bilateral meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The discussions were held at the Presidential Complex and lasted approximately 30 minutes, as per Turkish media reports.

Upon arrival, Pope Leo XIV was welcomed with a formal ceremony at the Presidential Complex, where President Erdoğan greeted the high-ranking guest.

The national anthems of both Türkiye and the Vatican were played, and sixteen flags were displayed to represent the Turkic states throughout history.

A 21-gun salute was also fired in honour of the Pope, who subsequently inspected the honour guard. Erdoğan and Leo XIV then took a commemorative photo in front of the national flags of both countries.

Following the ceremonial events, the leaders held bilateral talks, which were later expanded to include discussions with their respective delegations. After the negotiations, both President Erdoğan and Pope Leo XIV are scheduled to deliver speeches in the “Cihannuma” Hall of the Presidential National Library of Türkiye.

The Turkish delegation attending the official events included Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Secretary-General of the Presidential Administration Hakkı Susmaz, Head of the Directorate of Communications Burhanettin Duran, Chief of the President’s Personal Secretariat Hasan Doğan, Presidential Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç, and Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin.

Earlier, Pope Leo XIV arrived at Esenboğa Airport, where he was received by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and other officials. During his visit, the Pope also toured Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.

By Tamilla Hasanova