Istanbul: As the papal aircraft crossed the skies between Istanbul and Beirut, Pope Leo XIV used a brief in-flight interaction with journalists to reflect on his historic visit to Türkiye and to articulate his vision for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine. Speaking calmly but with unmistakable conviction, the Pope said Türkiye’s unique identity and diplomatic influence place it in an essential role in easing conflicts that continue to destabilize the region.
The Pope began by thanking the Turkish government for its hospitality throughout his four-day stay, noting that the visit centered on the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea unfolded with thoughtful coordination and respect. He praised the Turkish authorities, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for facilitating the pilgrimage and ensuring smooth movement for the papal delegation. The liturgy celebrated with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, he added, was a particularly meaningful expression of Christian unity.
Reflecting on Türkiye’s broader significance, Pope Leo observed that the nation stands at a crossroads of cultures and religions, with a Muslim majority and centuries-old Christian minorities living side by side. He described this coexistence as a “living example” of how diversity, when handled with mutual respect, can form the foundation for peace a lesson he believes the wider world urgently needs.
Responding to questions about discussions with President Erdoğan, the Pope confirmed that the situation in Gaza and the war in Ukraine were central topics. He reiterated the Holy See’s long-standing support for a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, noting that while the proposal faces resistance, it remains the only viable pathway to a just and lasting peace. He stressed that the Vatican maintains relationships with both Israelis and Palestinians and hopes this balanced engagement will help build trust where it has collapsed.
The Pope praised Türkiye’s active diplomatic efforts, highlighting the country’s crucial role in early negotiations during the Ukraine–Russia war, including the facilitation of the Black Sea grain corridor. He expressed cautious optimism that Ankara could once again help bring opposing parties closer to dialogue, ceasefire discussions, and a structured path toward ending the war.
Switching briefly to Italian, the Pope revealed that ecumenical cooperation was also a prominent theme during his time in Nicaea, where leaders of various Christian traditions marked the legacy of the ancient council. Looking toward the future, he confirmed that Church leaders are considering a major global Christian gathering in 2033 to commemorate 2,000 years since the Resurrection of Christ ideally in Jerusalem. While still in its early stages, the Pope said the proposal has been warmly received and will require years of careful preparation.
As the press conference concluded, Pope Leo once again thanked the journalists accompanying him on this inaugural apostolic journey, expressing hope that the spirit of dialogue and unity experienced in Türkiye will carry into the next phase of his mission in Lebanon.