“Pope Invites Primate Leo for First International Visit to Turkey” — Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan

“Pope Invites Primate Leo for First International Visit to Turkey” — Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan
[Vatican City, July 2, 2025] — Pope Leo has informed Turkey’s First Lady Emine Erdoğan that he plans to visit Turkey in late November. This was announced by the Turkish Presidency after their meeting at the Vatican on Wednesday.

During a formal discussion at the Apostolic Palace with Emine Erdoğan, wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Pope said that officials from Ankara and the Vatican are working on preparations for the possible visit. However, the Vatican has not yet issued any official response regarding this matter.

Pope Leo, who took office on May 8 this year following the death of Pope Francis, has not yet traveled abroad. Therefore, this could be his first international trip.

It is notable that Pope Francis had previously planned a visit to Turkey to mark the 1,700th anniversary of an ancient church council with the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christians, Patriarch Bartholomew.

According to various sources, it is now Pope Leo who might undertake that visit instead of Francis. In an interview with an Italian television channel, Patriarch Bartholomew said he and Pope Leo have already discussed the possibility of a Turkey visit in November.