Pope Leo XIV. he highlighted Turkey’s role as a bridge between cultures and called for dialogue and stability in the world during his first foreign trip to Ankara.
Pope Leo XIV. on Thursday, he called on Turkey to embrace its role as a mediator between the countries. He stated this after negotiations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Ergogan during his first foreign trip. TASR informs about it according to the report of the AFP agency.
- Pope Leo XIV. he called on Turkey to play a mediating role between the countries.
- He negotiated with President Ergogan during his first foreign trip.
- Turkey profiles itself as a key mediator in international conflicts.
- He emphasized the importance of dialogue and patient commitment to the peace process.
- Turkey has an important role as a bridge between East and West.
Turkey is increasingly profiled as one of the key mediators alongside the main Western powers and regularly participates in efforts to resolve conflicts – in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip, the Horn of Africa and other areas, the French agency recalls.
Bringing countries closer together
“Mr. President, may Turkey be a source of stability and rapprochement between countries in the service of a just and lasting peace,” the pope told officials and diplomats in the Turkish capital, Ankara, at the start of his four-day visit.
“Today, more than ever, we need people to promote dialogue and practice it with firm will and patient determination,” he said, warning of “increased levels of conflict at the global level.”
Tasks of Turkey
According to Leo XIV, Turkey has a “special role” as a bridge between East and West, Asia and Europe. “You have an important place in the present and the future of the Mediterranean and the world, above all because you value your internal diversity,” he said.
About 100,000 Christians live in Turkey out of a total population of 86 million, most of whom are Sunni Muslims.
The importance of diversity
“Uniformity would be impoverishment. Society is truly alive if it is pluralistic,” the Pope emphasized. “Christians desire to contribute positively to the unity of your country. They are – and feel they are – part of the Turkish identity,” he added.
