Pope Francis to visit Turkiye in May despite health concerns: What comes next?

Despite ongoing health issues, Pope Francis plans to visit Turkiye in May 2025 for diplomatic and interfaith purposes.

The planned visit of Pope Francis to Turkiye in May 2025 will become one of the year’s top diplomatic and interfaith events. The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis is considering travelling to Turkiye to build better relationships between faiths and connect more deeply with Muslim communities. Should the Pope visit Turkiye in his capacity as Catholic Church leader, we could witness major geopolitical shifts and discussions about the evolving Vatican-Turkiye relationship and religious diplomacy’s role in today’s divided world.

A visit amid health concerns

Pope Francis turned 88 years old while dealing with multiple health issues, such as knee troubles and recent respiratory difficulties. Despite the various challenges he faces, his resilience and dedication to interfaith dialogue never falter. The visit represents symbolic value because Turkiye is a historical and religious connector between Europe and the Middle East. The Vatican’s move to explore the feasibility of the trip demonstrates its significance in fulfilling the Holy See’s broader mission, despite concerns about Pope Francis’s health possibly limiting his participation in lengthy conversations or public appearances.

Strengthening Catholic-Muslim dialogue

Interfaith dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Islamic world is a key focus during Pope Francis’s papacy. Through his meetings with Muslim leaders and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, Pope Francis demonstrated his dedication to fostering interfaith connections. His itinerary in Turkiye includes meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan alongside top religious officials and representatives from Christian and Muslim communities. The planned visit to Turkiye—a secular nation with a Muslim majority—offers the potential for advancing Catholic-Muslim relations in a world fragmented by religious and cultural differences.

Geopolitical implications

The visit by Pope Francis would not only hold religious significance but would also carry important diplomatic implications. Turkiye operates within intricate geopolitical contexts while maintaining its relationships with Western countries alongside Russia and Middle Eastern nations. Though the Vatican serves as a religious entity, it maintains a vital position in global diplomatic affairs. During his visit, the Pope will likely address current global challenges, including refugee crises and conflicts in Israel-Palestine and Ukraine. Global audiences’ understanding of peace and humanitarian aid issues might shift due to his moral stance.

READ: Pope says children dying under bombs is ‘unacceptable’

Christian heritage in Turkiye

Some of Christianity’s most important historical locations, such as Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and the ancient city of Ephesus, along with the House of the Virgin Mary and İznik (Nicaea), are in Turkiye. Christian history recognises İznik, which used to be called Nicaea, as the location for both the First and Second Councils of Nicaea that developed important Christian doctrines. The pontiff Pope Francis is expected to travel to İznik to celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. The recent transformation of Hagia Sophia into a mosque has triggered discussions among Christian groups. Pope Francis might avoid discussing this issue directly, but his prospective visit could prompt renewed debate about religious tolerance and heritage conservation in the area.

Challenges and criticisms

Pope Francis’s potential visit has garnered widespread approval yet remains a point of contention for both Catholic and Muslim communities. Certain Catholic conservatives denounce his interfaith dialogue tactics as overly accommodating, while parts of the Muslim world persist in doubting Vatican motivations. Nationalist movements in different regions, including Turkiye, could challenge Pope Francis’s efforts to promote inclusive peace as political groups focus on inward-looking national identities.

What’s next?

Should Pope Francis’s health allow it and the visit be officially confirmed, this event would become an important achievement in interfaith relations. The outcomes of his discussions in Turkiye will determine the next steps. The diplomatic relationship between the Vatican and Ankara may experience growth during Pope Francis’s visit. This visit may trigger a fresh movement towards religious acceptance throughout the area. The narrative will continue to evolve due to these questions well beyond the end of his visit.

The potential visit of Pope Francis to Turkiye highlights his steadfast dedication to fostering dialogue and peace. The future effects of this visit are uncertain, yet its symbolic significance cannot be denied.

READ: Turkiye becoming hub for ‘peace diplomacy’, says Turkish president

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.