Erdoğan & Pope Leo XIV Meet in Ankara: Key Topics

President Erdoğan Welcomes Pope Leo XIV at the Presidential Complex in Ankara

27 November 2025

President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Pope Leo XIV at the Presidential Complex in Ankara today. The visit is part of the pontiff's first international trip, which includes Türkiye and Lebanon.

Visit to Anıtkabir

Before meeting with the Turkish president, Pope Leo XIV visited Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Türkiye. The Pope laid a wreath and signed the Honor Book, highlighting Atatürk's historical importance and his role in shaping modern Türkiye.

"This visit symbolizes the importance of dialogue between cultures and religions in today's world," — Pope Leo XIV noted during the ceremony.

Official Ceremony at the Presidential Complex

Following the tribute at Anıtkabir, the pontiff arrived at the Presidential Complex, where he was greeted with an official welcoming ceremony, including national anthems and an honor guard reception.

📌 Fact: The Presidential Complex in Ankara is one of the largest state residences in the world, covering more than 300,000 square meters.

Key Topics of the Meeting

During their discussions, President Erdoğan and Pope Leo XIV are expected to address several major issues:

• Interfaith dialogue and cooperation
• Regional security in the Middle East
• Humanitarian initiatives and support for vulnerable communities
• Development of bilateral relations between Türkiye and the Vatican

Significance of the Visit

This marks the first papal visit to Türkiye since 2014, when Pope Francis visited the country.

The current visit is viewed as an important step in strengthening communication and mutual understanding between religions and nations.

Further details and outcomes of the meeting will be shared as official information becomes available.