“The Pope is bringing a message of hope: ‘Persevere, be strong, we are with you’. His forthcoming visits to Turkey and Lebanon also send out an appeal to authorities in the Middle East to heed the call of God — the God in whom Muslims, Christians and Jews all believe — for justice and respect for human dignity.” Following the Holy See’s official publication of the programme for the Holy Father’s Apostolic Journey, SIR asked Msgr. Martin Kmetec, Metropolitan Archbishop of Izmir and President of the Turkish Episcopal Conference, to share his thoughts on Pope Leo XIV’s itinerary in Turkey.
The Pope is scheduled to arrive in Ankara on 27 November. After a welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace, he will meet with President Erdoğan and then with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps. Why has Turkey been looking forward to the Pope’s visit with such anticipation?
The Pope is certainly a very important figure for Turkey, starting with Pope Francis. This is because the Pope embodies positions of great significance in world politics. Moreover, the Pope is a religious leader with great global stature, particularly regarding moral issues. He is not a leader backed by military power, he is a moral leader, and in this sense we can say that the Pope represents the moral conscience of the contemporary world. His global influence makes him a universal figure.
What do you expect from these meetings?
It is important that Turkey welcomes the new Pope with openness. This gesture will send a positive signal of openness to Catholicism, to the Catholic Church’s presence in the country and to Christians at large. Therefore, it can be said that the Pope plays an extraordinary role among the world’s religious leaders. Turkey recognises his importance also on this level.
The second day of the visit features a welcoming ceremony for the Holy Father by members of the small but vibrant Catholic community. A prayer meeting will be held with bishops, consecrated persons, and pastoral workers. Your Excellency, what are your expectations for this event?
We trust that the Holy Father will make a gesture of deep paternal affection, which will make us feel acknowledged and valued. We are confident that this meeting will increase our awareness of just how important our presence in Turkey is. It is a great sign of communion between us, a small minority, and the universal Church.
Do you have any expectations regarding the words of Pope Leo?
We simply expect whatever the Holy Spirit inspires the Holy Father to say. However, we trust that he will encourage us to remain steadfast in our faith, to persevere on a path of hope, and above all to keep the flame of love alive in our hearts.
The visit to the nursing home run by the Little Sisters of the Poor promises to be another profoundly significant event. How would you describe the Turkish Church?
This visit to a home run by nuns who care for the elderly carries great symbolic significance. Although it was originally founded to primarily care for Christians, today it is open to everyone. In fact, the Little Sisters of the Poor have always offered a valuable service to everyone. They serve as a reminder that contemporary civilisation tends to exclude the elderly, relegating them to the margins, out of the spotlight and away from the deceptive allure of the media. They are excluded because they represent life’s truths and suffering, and they raise profound questions about human existence. I believe that this visit to the nursing home is therefore an invitation to learn from our elders, as Pope Francis has often encouraged young people to do. It is an invitation to rediscover the dignity of every human person, who must be respected from birth to death. It is an expression of the Church’s solidarity with the most vulnerable among us, those approaching the end of their lives.
The helicopter transfer to Nicea om the second day can be considered one of the primary objectives of this visit, as it marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council. What message does Nicaea send to the Christian world today?
The fundamental message is first and foremost the profession of faith. IFar from being a static text, it is a living profession of faith that is continuously renewed in every sacrament, especially in baptism and in the Sunday Eucharist. The profession of faith in the one and triune God, is foundational to a Christian vision of the world — an image of God that is communion and love.
Yet today, this image is deeply wounded. We live in a world scarred by wars, hatred, and divisions.
The message of Nicaea is more relevant today than ever – and for precisely this reason. In these lands, where so many of us feel small and fragile, this message takes on an extraordinary force. It calls on us to reject violence and the pursuit of greatness and power, and to believe that God alone has the final say in human history. Ultimately, the world we see today is not the final form of human existence.
The Pope’s visit to Turkey envisages a meaningful fraternal embrace with Patriarch Bartholomew. How is the Pope expected to be received by Patriarch Bartholomew? And what is your perception of these two leaders, these two great ‘lungs’ of the Universal Church?
Although Patriarch Bartholomew has no external power, this is not due to weakness; his position is one of humility and modesty, which paradoxically becomes a strength. I believe it is precisely the glory that Christ displayed on the cross. Furthermore, this meeting with Pope Leo highlights the steps taken by the Catholic Church to heal historical wounds and divisions. It also sets an important sign to all other Christian leaders, inviting them to humble themselves, kneel before one another and seek communion, recognising the presence of Christ in the world.
This shows that every wound can be healed.
Yes, absolutely.
Why did the Pope and the Patriarch decide to conclude this visit with a joint statement?
Because every meeting needs an official record. While the direction set out by Pope Francis will most likely be continued, we do not yet know what will emerge from this new text. We look forward to a pleasant surprise. It will certainly express trust, love and hope towards our sister Churches. It will be a document that will guide us on the continuation of our journey
The Pope will continue his journey with a visit to Lebanon. From the heart of war-torn and conflict-ridden Middle East in search for peace, what message will the Pope send to the world?
Lebanon is a deeply wounded country. It is experiencing a devastating economic crisis exacerbated by exploitation and international conflicts. This small country is paying a very high price, especially its Christian population. This visit is a gesture of the Pope’s deep closeness to all Christians in the Middle East, where the minimum conditions for peace and prosperity are lacking. These communities are very small and decreasing rapidly in number. Every day, they face violence and the interests of the outside world. This is why the Pope is bringing a message of hope: “Persevere, be strong, we are with you.” It is also an appeal to political leaders in the Middle East to realise that God — the God in whom Muslims, Christians and Jews all believe — calls on us to act with justice and respect for human dignity.
