Pope Leo Arrives In Turkey, Brings World Peace Messages

Pope Leo XIV/DOK PHOTO via Instagram @pontifex

JAKARTA - Pope Leo XIV arrived in Turkey on Thursday on his first overseas visit to commemorate the important commemoration of Christians and bring a message of peace to the region at a crucial time in an effort to end the war in Ukraine and ease tensions in the Middle East.

Leo was greeted on the runway of Ankara's Esenboga Airport by the ranks of military honors.

While walking on the greenish blue carpet, he shook hands with the Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, other officials, and senior church figures from Turkey.

The Pope planned a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and addressed the country's diplomatic corps.

Then, on Thursday evening, he will continue his trip to Istanbul to attend an ecumenical and interfaith meeting for three days, which will continue with a visit to Lebanon.

Speaking to reporters on his plane, Leo acknowledged how historic his first overseas trip was and said he had been looking forward to it because of its meaning for Christians and for world peace.

Leo said the visit to commemorate the important equimenical anniversary is important for Christians. However, he hopes that his broader message of peace will resonate throughout the world.

"We also hope to announce, convey and proclaim the importance of peace around the world and to invite everyone to unite to seek greater unity, closer harmony, and find ways so that all men and women can truly become brothers and sisters regardless of differences, regardless of religious differences, regardless of differences in beliefs," he said as quoted by the Associated Press, Thursday, November 27.

Leo's visit comes as Turkey, a country of more than 85 million people, mostly Sunni Muslims, has positioned itself as the main intermediary in peace negotiations for the conflict in Ukraine and Gaza.

Ankara has hosted a low-level round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and has offered to participate in stabilization forces in Gaza to help enforce a fragile ceasefire, engagement that Leo may welcome in his speech.