Erdogan, Pope Leo plan to hold press event in Ankara

(MENAFN) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pope Leo will hold a news conference Thursday at Cihannuma Hall in Türkiye’s Presidential National Library in Ankara, the world’s third-largest library.

This marks Pope Leo’s first foreign trip since becoming head of the Catholic Church. During his visit from Nov. 27–30, he will travel to Ankara, Istanbul, and Iznik. In Ankara, he will first pay respects at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, before being officially welcomed at the Presidential Complex.

Erdogan and the Pope are expected to hold a private meeting to discuss Türkiye-Vatican relations and address regional and global issues, including developments in Palestine.

Pope Leo XIV will meet Christian clerics at Saint Esprit Cathedral, visit the French Poorhouse Nursing Home, and travel to Iznik by helicopter for a service. On Saturday, he will visit Sultanahmet Mosque, Mor Ephrem Syriac Orthodox Church, and meet with Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos, concluding with services at the Volkswagen Arena and Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, as well as a return visit to the Fener Patriarchate for its anniversary.

MENAFN27112025000045017640ID1110404205