A Greek cannon was used in the reception of Pope at the Turkey Presidential Palace on Thursday, in an official ceremony attended by high-ranking officials of the Turkish government. The reception of the head of the Roman Catholic Church was also attended by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, following an invitation from the Turkish president.
Pope Leo XIV: Complete reception ceremony and his official program
Pope Leo XIV arrived at Ankara’s Esenboğa airport at 12:23 noon where he was welcomed by Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. Before proceeding to the presidential palace, the Pope ceremonially visited the mausoleum of Kemal Atatürk, where he laid a wreath at the tomb of the founder of the Turkish Republic.
At the presidential palace, Pope was received by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in his capacity as head of state of Vatican City, with full military honors, 21-gun salute, and mounted guard ceremony.
Following their private meeting and the expanded meeting between delegations from both sides, the Pope and Erdoğan addressed invited guests in the presidential palace library.
In his speech, the Turkish president emphasized the critical nature of the Pontiff’s visit amid global tensions from Asia to Africa and Latin America. He noted that Turkey leads globally in humanitarian aid, hosting millions of Syrian refugees and supporting Ukrainians, while promoting initiatives such as the Black Sea grain agreement. He criticized Israeli attacks in Gaza, with more than 70,000 dead, including strikes on churches, and called for a two-state solution based on 1967 borders.
