- 27 November, 2025
Türkiye, November 27, 2025: Pope Leo XIV began his Apostolic Journey in Türkiye with a strong appeal for unity, dialogue, and human solidarity as he addressed authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps in Ankara. His visit marks the first leg of a journey that seeks to highlight Türkiye’s historic role as a meeting point of cultures, faiths, and civilisations.
Speaking at the Presidential Palace and later at the Nation’s Library, the Pope expressed deep gratitude for the warm welcome extended to him. He described Türkiye as a land “inextricably linked to the origins of Christianity,” but also as a nation that gathers the children of Abraham—Muslims, Christians, and Jews—to see differences not as division but as the foundation for fraternity.
He reflected on Türkiye’s natural beauty and rich cultural diversity, calling them signs of how human civilisation thrives when ideas, traditions, and generations meet and grow together. Diversity, he stressed, is not a threat but a safeguard for social vitality. “Uniformity would be an impoverishment,” he said, insisting that bridges—both real and symbolic—sustain a healthy civil society.
A Symbol of Türkiye’s Vocation
The Pope pointed to the emblem of his journey, depicting the bridge over the Dardanelles Strait, as a symbol of Türkiye’s unique identity. The nation physically connects Asia to Europe, but also unites tradition with modernity and difference with unity. In an era marked by polarisation, he warned societies of the dangers of fragmentation. Yet Christians in Türkiye, he affirmed, continue to contribute positively to the nation’s life, recalling Saint John XXIII’s affection for the country and his call for a “culture of encounter.”
“God Built a Bridge Between Heaven and Earth”
Drawing on Scripture, Pope Leo spoke of God as the great bridge-builder, creating a passage between heaven and earth so that human hearts may learn divine compassion. He insisted that justice and mercy must counter the logic of domination, and that compassion and solidarity—not power—must guide development.
He warned of technological progress detached from ethics, noting that artificial intelligence magnifies human choices rather than replaces them. “Processes are not the work of machines, but of humanity itself,” he said, urging global leaders to repair “the damage done to the unity of our human family.”
Family at the Heart of Society
The Pope highlighted the family as “the first nucleus of social life,” where each person learns the essential truth that “without the other, there is no I.” He praised Türkiye’s efforts to strengthen families, while warning against isolating or silencing voices within the home. Happiness, he noted, does not emerge from individualism but from marriage, openness to life, and shared responsibilities.
He cautioned against consumerist cultures that turn loneliness into a market, calling instead for “a culture that appreciates affection and personal connection,” one that honours both conjugal love and the indispensable contribution of women. He added that women continue to enrich Türkiye through scholarship, public service, and leadership.
A Hope for Peace
Pope Leo voiced hope that Türkiye will remain “a source of stability and rapprochement between peoples,” recalling the visits of earlier Popes and the historical significance of Nicaea, where early Christians sought unity of faith. At a time of renewed global conflict, he echoed warnings against what Pope Francis described as “a third world war fought piecemeal.”
The Holy Father ended by urging all people to walk together “in truth and friendship,” trusting in God’s help as they work for peace, justice, and the well-being of every nation.
Courtesy: Vatican News
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