New pope expected to make Türkiye first foreign visit

The new pope, when elected, will likely make Türkiye his first foreign destination if invited by the Turkish government, according to Massimiliano Palinuro, the Episcopal Vicar of the Latin Catholic Community in Istanbul.

In his first interview since Pope Francis’s death, granted to CNN TURK, Palinuro said the late pontiff had been scheduled to visit Türkiye on May 24 for the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.

“Pope Francis wanted this visit until the last minute,” Palinuro told. “A Vatican delegation, including a cardinal and 14 assistants, was expected to come to prepare for this visit in coordination with the Turkish government.”

The late pontiff had been scheduled to travel to Iznik on May 21, 2025, to participate in celebrations marking 1,700 years since the First Council of Nicaea. This landmark gathering, held in 325 A.D., stands as one of Christianity’s most significant historical events and took place in what is now the Turkish town of Iznik.

A man in a black vest and blue cap stands next to a lokma vendor's truck on a street in Iznik, Turkey. The truck displays Turkish text advertising lokma, and there's a whiteboard sign with handwritten text that reads "PAPA FRANCIS HAYRINA" (For Pope Francis). The street scene includes Turkish flags and other pedestrians in the background. — A man receives lokma, a traditional Turkish sweet distributed in times of mourning, from a street vendor in Iznik, Bursa on April 21, 2025. (IHA Photo)

Following news of the Pope’s death, shopkeepers in Iznik distributed traditional sweets as a gesture of mourning. The town, which had been making extensive preparations for the papal visit, now faces uncertainty about whether these arrangements will ultimately serve the Pope’s successor instead.

Palinuro emphasized that if the next pope receives an invitation from Türkiye after his election, “he will definitely come here, making Türkiye his first visit.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) speaks with Pope Francis, at a family photo after attending the G7 summit in Apulia, Italy, June 14, 2024. (AA Photo)

Erdogan’s personal invitation

The Papal Vicar noted that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had extended a personal invitation to Pope Francis for the visit.

“Pope Francesco’s visit was also going to happen thanks to the President,” Palinuro said. “Special preparations are being made by the government in Nicaea (modern-day İznik). The archaeological site of the Council of Nicaea is being specially prepared for tourists and visitors.”

New pope expected to make Türkiye first foreign visit — Pope Francis coughs during a weekly general audience at Paul-VI hall in The Vatican, February 5, 2025. (AFP Photo)

Vatican, Türkiye share views on Gaza

Palinuro also highlighted the communication between Türkiye and the Vatican regarding the Gaza conflict, stating that Pope Francis and Türkiye held similar positions on the issue.

“The President wanted to discuss Gaza with the Pope. As far as I remember, they met twice to establish a common strategy,” he said.

“The Pope condemned the injustice, persecution, and war in Gaza. A crime against humanity was committed against Muslims and Christians there. They destroyed mosques, bombed churches and children’s hospitals. How can the world remain silent? The Pope did not remain silent. Why? Because he was a compassionate person,” Palinuro added.

The Papal Vicar criticized Western journalists for not objectively reporting on events in Gaza and mentioned that Pope Francis had direct communication with his congregation in Gaza until his final days.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Pope Francis shake hands — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Pope Francis (L) shake hands at Presidency in Ankara, Türkiye, Nov. 28, 2014. (AA Photo)

Funeral arrangements

Regarding the funeral proceedings for Pope Francis, who will be laid to rest on Saturday, Palinuro noted that the ceremony would be more modest than traditional papal funerals.

“The Pope didn’t like protocol. He preferred simpler things in every matter. The mourning will be shorter. There will be fewer procedures and formalities. He didn’t like splendor, so it will be more modest,” he explained.

Palinuro mentioned that the last Pope to be buried in Rome was Pius IX and reminded that for the past 150 years, popes have been buried in St. Peter’s Basilica. He explained why Pope Francis chose a different location:

“The Pope will be buried in an important basilica, Saint Mary Major, because he had a special love and respect for the Virgin Mary, and this church is the oldest in the world dedicated to the Virgin Mary.”