Pope Leo XIV, the Head of the State of Vatican City, was officially welcomed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on Thursday.

The visit, marking the first papal trip to the predominantly Muslim nation in over a decade, is seen as a powerful symbol of dialogue and cooperation between the Catholic Church and Türkiye.

The official ceremony began with the playing of the national anthems of both states. Pope Leo XIV, in a display of formal protocol, then inspected a Turkish honor guard, underscoring the state-level significance of his visit.

Following the introductions of the official delegations from both sides, President Erdoğan and the Pontiff posed briefly for the press before proceeding to a private one-on-one meeting. This was followed by broader discussions between the Turkish and Vatican delegations.

According to sources from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the leaders' agenda was expected to cover a range of critical issues. High on the list was the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with both leaders reaffirming their calls for an immediate ceasefire and the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid.

The talks also focused on fostering greater interreligious understanding and combating Islamophobia and anti-Christian sentiment. A key outcome of the meeting was the announcement of a joint initiative to establish a "Türkiye-Vatican Cultural and Dialogue Forum," aimed at promoting peace and tolerance through academic and religious exchanges.

Pope Leo XIV's itinerary is set to extend beyond the capital. Later this week, he will travel to Istanbul to meet with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians. This meeting is anticipated to further highlight the Pope's commitment to ecumenical unity and bridge-building between different Christian denominations.

The visit is being closely watched by international observers as a pivotal moment for reinforcing diplomatic channels and fostering mutual respect between the global Islamic community and the Holy See. (ILKHA)