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Vatican Head of State Pope Leo XIV’s three-day trip to Türkiye came at a moment when Ankara faces growing reputational challenges abroad. His itinerary included official meetings in Ankara and Istanbul, followed by a historic stop in Bursa’s Iznik district for a ceremony marking the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. The event took place at the submerged Basilica of Saint Neophytos on the shores of Lake Iznik, a site deeply rooted in early Christian history.
The visit unfolded against the backdrop of increasingly organized and well-funded campaigns aimed at casting Türkiye as intolerant or insular.
In this context, the papal presence served as a powerful counter-narrative.
It highlighted a Türkiye eager to show openness, religious diversity, and cultural confidence to global audiences.
For many observers, the timing could not have been more significant. A major religious leader representing a segment of the world, standing on one of Christianity’s foundational sites and highly welcomed by the Turkish state, sent a message larger than the event itself.
In Ankara, the program preceding the joint press appearance featured symbolism that resonated well beyond Türkiye’s borders.
A choir performed an English-language piece titled “God is Good,” followed by an Islamic hymn.
The ensemble, Antakya Civilizations Choir, was chosen deliberately. Antakya holds a near-sacred place in Christian history as it is where followers of Jesus were first called “Christians,” home to some of the earliest churches, and the site of the famed cave church of Saint Peter.
Showcasing the choir, representing a city long seen as the cradle of early Christianity, allowed Türkiye to emphasize its multicultural heritage. For a foreign audience accustomed to portrayals of Türkiye through narrow political frames, the visuals and symbolism underscored a different reality.
The reception continued at the Presidential Library, Türkiye’s largest, where the Pope was given to deliver a public address.
This choice of venue reflected a level of respect and access, definitely not commonly extended to every foreign leader, further reinforcing Türkiye’s message of inclusiveness and engagement.
Türkiye’s decision to grant the pope full access to Iznik was notable in itself.
The nation’s relationship with its Christian minority members has long been shaped by painful memories tied to foreign intervention during the late Ottoman period.
With European powers invoking the protection of Christians to exert political pressure, the early Republic responded by promoting strict civic equality anchored in national sovereignty.
Allowing such a high-profile religious ceremony in Iznik signaled a clear departure from those defensive reflexes. It suggested confidence rather than caution, and a willingness to reclaim Christian heritage sites as part of a broader national historical narrative.
For many in Türkiye, the gesture illustrated a state comfortable with its diversity and intent on projecting an image of religious freedom grounded in stability rather than external pressure.
Türkiye’s regional diplomacy from the Middle East to the Eastern Mediterranean has increasingly attracted external criticism from actors who view Ankara’s policies as misaligned with their interests.
Some of these groups have pursued persistent disinformation efforts portraying the country as intolerant or hostile to pluralism.
The papal visit created a moment that even sophisticated propaganda networks should consider a loss.
Images of Türkiye hosting the Catholic spiritual leader at a site central to the history of the faith offered a strong rebuttal to narratives depicting the country as exclusionary.
Beyond its symbolic dimensions, the visit strengthened Türkiye’s ability to position itself as a country where diverse religious traditions coexist, where Christian heritage is preserved, and where dialogue is part of statecraft.
It also supported the country’s efforts to expand faith-based tourism, cultural diplomacy, and human-to-human interaction in an opportunity neither money nor advertisement strategies can buy.
At a time when the government seeks new channels to communicate its identity and foreign-policy posture to Western publics, the papal visit provided a valuable platform. Türkiye appeared not only as a regional power but also as a guardian of shared religious heritage.
The event showcased coexistence rather than confrontation, continuity rather than rupture. It illustrated how Türkiye sees itself: a country shaped by multiple civilizations, balancing its Muslim majority identity with a layered historical landscape that includes some of Christianity’s most formative moments.
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