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Türkiye's leading faith tourism destinations were presented at a conference held at the Pontifical Lateran University in Vatican City, where organizers also unveiled new pilgrimage tour plans for 2026, highlighting growing cultural and tourism cooperation between Türkiye and Vatican-linked institutions.
The conference was organized through cooperation between L’Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, a Vatican-affiliated organization that arranges pilgrimage tours, and the Culture and Promotion Councillorship of the Turkish Embassy in Rome. The event focused on faith tourism routes across Türkiye while also introducing new tour programs planned for 2026.
The Pontifical Lateran University, often described as the “Pope’s university” because of its direct link to the Vatican, hosted the gathering, which brought together religious figures, diplomats, tourism professionals and invited guests.
Speaking at the opening of the program, Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the Pope’s General Vicar, said that his visits to Türkiye had allowed him to appreciate the country’s natural and cultural richness. Referring both to the Pope’s journey and to his own previous trips, Reina underlined the importance of Türkiye’s position in the region, stating:
“Also, I am pleased because during the Pope’s journey we had the opportunity to appreciate Türkiye strategic geopolitical role, and in such a sensitive and special context, being able to give a sign of peace together with Türkiye would truly be something very beautiful.”
Reina also welcomed the ongoing cooperation with Türkiye’s Embassy in Rome and the Culture and Promotion Councillorship, expressing hope that further joint cultural promotion activities would take place in the future.
Türkiye Culture and Promotion Counsellor Zeynep Selvi said the Vatican Head of State Pope Leo XIV’s first foreign visit, which took place in November and included a trip to Türkiye, had been successful. She added that both the papal visit and the Vatican conference confirmed Türkiye’s image as a hospitable country that remains open to cultural exchange and dialogue.
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The event also featured footage shot in Türkiye by Italian journalist Cristoforo Gorno for Italy’s public broadcaster RAI, offering visual insight into several faith-related sites.
Carmen Salvemini, a tour coordinator from L’Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, provided detailed information on Türkiye-focused pilgrimage routes. These tours include destinations such as Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Iznik, the ancient city of Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, Antakya, as well as locations across the Black Sea and southeastern regions of the country.
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