Pope Leo XIV departed from Ankara for Istanbul today as part of his official visit to Turkey. In the first part of his program in the capital, he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and discussed religious tolerance, the regional situation, and peace initiatives. In his speech in Ankara, Pope Leo emphasized that Turkey is an important center where different religions coexist.
It is reported that one of the main objectives of Pope Leo's visit to Istanbul is to visit historical sites and strengthen interfaith dialogue. He is scheduled to hold meetings in the city with both the Christian community and representatives of various religious and cultural institutions. The visit's program also includes religious ceremonies and the delivery of public messages.
It is reported that Pope Leo will visit a number of symbolic sites in Istanbul, including the Sultanahmet Mosque, and will participate in joint events with the city's religious communities. The overall purpose of the visit is considered to be strengthening the call for dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding in the region, as well as reinforcing the Vatican's relations with the region.