Ankara, April 21, 2025 – The Europe Today: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, describing him as a distinguished statesman and spiritual leader who stood firmly for humanitarian values and interfaith dialogue.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Catholic world and Head of State of the Vatican,” President Erdoğan stated in a message posted on social media platform X on Monday.
President Erdoğan paid tribute to Pope Francis’s moral stance on global crises, particularly his advocacy for the Palestinian people and his vocal condemnation of the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Gaza. “Pope Francis was a distinguished statesman and a spiritual leader who valued dialogue among different faith communities. He took initiative in the face of humanitarian tragedies, especially on the Palestinian issue and the genocide in Gaza,” Erdoğan noted.
He concluded by offering his personal condolences as well as those of the Turkish nation to the late pontiff’s family, the Vatican State, and the global Catholic community, emphasizing that the Pope’s “example of leadership that prioritises universal values” will be remembered with respect.
Joining the nation in mourning, the Head of Türkiye’s Presidency of Religious Affairs, Ali Erbaş, also extended his condolences to Catholics around the world, with special regard to those residing in Türkiye. Reflecting on his meeting with the pontiff during a visit to the Vatican on April 13, 2024, Erbaş recalled their joint appeal for an end to the suffering in Gaza.
“Together we called on all of humanity to take action to end the genocide taking place in Gaza,” Erbaş said on X, further expressing grief over the indiscriminate attacks targeting mosques, churches, and civilians, including children and women.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz also issued a statement offering his condolences to the Vatican and the Catholic world. “His sensitive approach in the face of numerous humanitarian crises that have wounded the conscience of the world, and especially his clear and determined stance against the genocide in Gaza and the injustices faced by the Palestinian people, will continue to be remembered as an example of leadership that prioritises universal values,” he said.
Pope Francis had been admitted to a hospital in Rome in February due to bronchitis, which later progressed into bilateral pneumonia. After 38 days of treatment, he was discharged to continue recovery at his Vatican residence. The Vatican confirmed his passing earlier Monday. His death has prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from leaders and communities worldwide.
