Pope Leo in Turkey, navigating faith, politics and Orthodox tensions
The visit will bolster Turkey’s image on religious tolerance and shared positions with the Vatican while Ankara navigates sensitive issues surrounding the Halki Seminary and the Greek Patriarchate’s ecumenical status.
Pope Leo XIV will begin his first overseas trip in Turkey, a country where ancient Christian history, interfaith diplomacy and delicate political tensions converge.
For Ankara, the visit will present both opportunity and risk. It will help Turkey project an image of religious tolerance and highlight shared positions with the Vatican on issues such as Gaza. At the same time, the Turkish government must carefully navigate longstanding tensions over the continued closure of the Halki Seminary and the Greek Patriarchate’s ecumenical status, which continue to draw international scrutiny.
On Thursday Pope Leo will begin his first international trip since assuming the papacy on May 8. His four-day tour will start with a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and take him to Istanbul and Turkey’s northwestern town of Iznik, a cornerstone of Christian history.
The visit will provide several opportunities to highlight the Turkish government’s geopolitical role, soft power and ties with the West.
