Pope Leo XIV has called on Türkiye and the global community to reject division and embrace dialogue, unity, and peace as he delivered his first major address during his inaugural Apostolic Journey abroad. The Holy Father arrived in Ankara on November 27, opening a week-long visit that will take him to Istanbul, İznik (ancient Nicaea), and later Lebanon.
Speaking at Türkiye’s Presidential Palace and later at the Nation’s Library before government authorities, civil society leaders, and diplomats, Pope Leo emphasized the symbolic significance of Türkiye—a nation historically and geographically positioned as a bridge between continents, cultures, and faiths.
Türkiye: A Land of Encounter
Addressing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Pope described Türkiye as a land deeply connected to Christianity’s early history and a meeting place for the children of Abraham—Muslims, Christians, and Jews. He stressed that diversity should be viewed not as a threat but as a gift that strengthens society.
“Uniformity would be an impoverishment,” he said. “Bridges, not barriers, sustain a truly human society.”
The emblem of the Pope’s journey—a bridge over the Dardanelles—captures Türkiye’s unique identity. Pope Leo said the country’s geography reflects its deeper calling to unite East and West, tradition and modernity, difference and harmony.
A Gospel of Bridge-Building
Reflecting on God as the ultimate builder of bridges between heaven and earth, the Pope urged leaders to embrace compassion, justice, and solidarity over domination or division. He cautioned against technological advancement—especially artificial intelligence—unmoored from human and ethical responsibility.
“Processes are not the work of machines, but of humanity itself,” he said, calling on nations to repair fractures within the global family.
Family and the Value of Human Connection
Pope Leo highlighted the family as the foundation of society, praising Türkiye’s efforts to protect and support family life. He warned, however, that the family must remain open, communicative, and rooted in mutual respect—not isolated or dominated by fear.
He encouraged a renewed culture that honors the dignity of marriage, openness to life, and the essential contribution of women in academic, cultural, and public life.
Türkiye as a Beacon of Peace
The Holy Father expressed hope that Türkiye will continue serving as a stabilizing force in the region, recalling past papal visits and the country’s historic role as a crossroads of peoples. His journey to İznik this week highlights the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, a foundational moment of Christian unity.
In a world increasingly marked by conflict—what Pope Francis once called “a third world war fought piecemeal”—Pope Leo warned that nations are investing more in division than in shared human priorities such as peace, education, food security, and care for creation.
A Call to Walk Together
The Pope affirmed that the Holy See brings no political power but stands firm in its spiritual mission to promote peace and human dignity.
“Let us walk together,” he concluded, “in truth and friendship, humbly trusting in the help of God.”
Credit/ Vatican News
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