Pope Leo XIV landed in Turkey on Thursday as part of a planned visit that will also include a stop in Lebanon. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the Pope upon his arrival, signaling the potential for an important diplomatic engagement. The Pope’s visit to the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, underscores the religious and historical significance of his trip. While the details of the upcoming meeting with President Erdogan remain undisclosed, the Pope’s presence in Turkey is seen as a gesture of goodwill and an opportunity to address contemporary issues facing the region.