BREAKING Pope Leo XIV says He Came as a Messenger of Peace and Urges a 2 State Solution for Palestine while Calling for a Ceasefire in Ukraine - on the Plane FULL TEXT
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Pope Leo XIV boarded the papal plane to fly from Istanbul to Beirut, thanks Türkiye’s authorities for their welcome and answers a pair of questions from reporters, expressing his hopes for peace in Ukraine and Gaza and confirming the desire to celebrate the 2033 Jubilee of Redemption in Jerusalem.
(27 November - 2 December 2025)
PRESS CONFERENCE BY POPE LEO XIV
DURING THE FLIGHT FROM ISTANBUL TO BEIRUT
Papal Flight on Sunday, November 30, 2025
(27 November - 2 December 2025)
PRESS CONFERENCE BY POPE LEO XIV
DURING THE FLIGHT FROM ISTANBUL TO BEIRUT
Papal Flight on Sunday, November 30, 2025
____________________________________
Matteo Bruni: Good afternoon everyone. Welcome back. We have completed this first leg of our journey, and we thank the Holy Father for his presence among us and for allowing us to follow this first leg of the journey with him. I don't know if you want to say a word... Then there are some journalists who have prepared... [some questions]
Pope Leo:
Good afternoon, buon pomeriggio a tutti. I’ll speak English to start, I think most of you understand, I’m happy to greet you. I hope you all had as good a time in Türkiye as I did, I think it was a wonderful experience. As you know, the primary reason for coming to Türkiye was the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. We had that magnificent celebration very simple, and yet very profound, on the site of one of the ancient basilicas of Nicaea to commemorate the great event of the agreement of the whole Chrisitan community and the profession of faith, the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.
Besides that, of course, there were many other events that we celebrated. I personally I want to express to all of you my gratitude for all the work that went into planning the visit, beginning with the nuncio, the staff, the whole team from Rome, of course, that did all the organization, but in a very special way the government of Türkiye, president Erdogan and so many people that he put at our disposition in order to make sure that the trip would be a total success, his personal helicopter, many means of transportation, organization, etc, the presence of the ministers in various moments along the visit, so it was I think a great success.
I was very happy to have the different moments we had with the different Churches, with the different Christian communities, with the Orthodox Churches, culminating this morning with the Divine Liturgy with patriarch Bartholomew, so it was a wonderful celebration and I hope that all of you shared that same experience so thank you. I don’t know if there any questions or comments, just a couple because they are waiting for me for more photos.
Matteo Bruni:
We have a first question from Baris Seçkin, a Turkish journalist from the Anadolu Ajansi news agency:
Baris Seçkin (Anadolu Ajansi): Thank you very much. At the beginning of your papal trip you made reference to world and regional peace. In this regard, what is your comment on Turkiye’s role in achieving and maintaining world and regional peace, and what were your discussions with president Erdogan on this matter? Thank you.
Pope Leo XIV
To have come to Turkiye, and of course now to Lebanon, on this trip there was of course a special theme of, if you will, being a messenger of peace, of wanting to promote peace throughout region. Turkiye has a number of, if you will, qualities about it, it is a country of, the vast majority being Muslims and yet the presence of numerous Christian communities there, although a very small minority, and yet people of different religions are able to live in peace. And that is one example I would say of I think what we all would be looking for throughout the world.
To say that in spite of religious differences, in spite of ethnic differences, in spite of many other differences people can indeed live in peace. Turkiye itself has had, of course, in its history various moments when it was not always the case and yet to have experienced that and to have been able to speak also with president Erdogan about peace I think was an important element, a worthwhile element of my visit.
Matteo Bruni:
Thank you, Baris, thank you, Your Holiness. The other question comes from Seyda Canepa, from Turkish television:
Seyda Canepa
Your Holiness, beyond official statements, have you discussed the situation in Gaza with President Erdogan, given that the Vatican and Turkey share the same vision of a two-state, two-people solution? And then regarding Ukraine, the Vatican has repeatedly emphasized Turkey's role, starting with the opening of the grain corridor at the beginning of the conflict. So, do you see any hope for a truce in Ukraine and a faster peace process in Gaza at this time? Thank you very much.
Pope Leo XIV
Thank you! We have certainly discussed both situations. The Holy See has publicly supported the proposal for a two-state solution for several years. We all know that Israel still does not accept this solution, but we see it as the only solution that could offer—let's say—a solution to the ongoing conflict. We are also friends of Israel and are seeking to mediate with both sides, helping us move closer to a solution with justice for all. We have discussed this with President Erdogan, and he certainly agrees with this proposal. Turkey has an important role to play in this.
The same goes for Ukraine. A few months ago, with the possibility of dialogue between Ukraine and Russia, the president was instrumental in convening the two sides. Unfortunately, we haven't seen a solution yet, but today there are once again concrete proposals for peace. And we hope that President Erdogan, with his relationship with the presidents of Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, can help in this regard, promoting dialogue, a ceasefire, and finding a way to resolve this conflict, this war in Ukraine. Thank you.
Greetings to everyone. Have a good trip! [Matteo Bruni] suggested that I say a word after the important ecumenical meeting in Nicaea. Yesterday morning we discussed possible future meetings. One would be in the year 2033, the two thousandth anniversary of the Redemption, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is clearly an event all Christians want to celebrate. The idea was welcomed; we haven't yet extended the invitation, but the possibility is to celebrate, for example, this great event of the Resurrection in Jerusalem in 2033. There are still years to prepare for it. However, it was a very beautiful meeting, because Christians from different traditions were present and were able to participate in this moment.
Thank you! Thank you all.
Matteo Bruni: Good afternoon everyone. Welcome back. We have completed this first leg of our journey, and we thank the Holy Father for his presence among us and for allowing us to follow this first leg of the journey with him. I don't know if you want to say a word... Then there are some journalists who have prepared... [some questions]
Pope Leo:
Good afternoon, buon pomeriggio a tutti. I’ll speak English to start, I think most of you understand, I’m happy to greet you. I hope you all had as good a time in Türkiye as I did, I think it was a wonderful experience. As you know, the primary reason for coming to Türkiye was the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. We had that magnificent celebration very simple, and yet very profound, on the site of one of the ancient basilicas of Nicaea to commemorate the great event of the agreement of the whole Chrisitan community and the profession of faith, the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.
Besides that, of course, there were many other events that we celebrated. I personally I want to express to all of you my gratitude for all the work that went into planning the visit, beginning with the nuncio, the staff, the whole team from Rome, of course, that did all the organization, but in a very special way the government of Türkiye, president Erdogan and so many people that he put at our disposition in order to make sure that the trip would be a total success, his personal helicopter, many means of transportation, organization, etc, the presence of the ministers in various moments along the visit, so it was I think a great success.
I was very happy to have the different moments we had with the different Churches, with the different Christian communities, with the Orthodox Churches, culminating this morning with the Divine Liturgy with patriarch Bartholomew, so it was a wonderful celebration and I hope that all of you shared that same experience so thank you. I don’t know if there any questions or comments, just a couple because they are waiting for me for more photos.
Matteo Bruni:
We have a first question from Baris Seçkin, a Turkish journalist from the Anadolu Ajansi news agency:
Baris Seçkin (Anadolu Ajansi): Thank you very much. At the beginning of your papal trip you made reference to world and regional peace. In this regard, what is your comment on Turkiye’s role in achieving and maintaining world and regional peace, and what were your discussions with president Erdogan on this matter? Thank you.
Pope Leo XIV
To have come to Turkiye, and of course now to Lebanon, on this trip there was of course a special theme of, if you will, being a messenger of peace, of wanting to promote peace throughout region. Turkiye has a number of, if you will, qualities about it, it is a country of, the vast majority being Muslims and yet the presence of numerous Christian communities there, although a very small minority, and yet people of different religions are able to live in peace. And that is one example I would say of I think what we all would be looking for throughout the world.
To say that in spite of religious differences, in spite of ethnic differences, in spite of many other differences people can indeed live in peace. Turkiye itself has had, of course, in its history various moments when it was not always the case and yet to have experienced that and to have been able to speak also with president Erdogan about peace I think was an important element, a worthwhile element of my visit.
Matteo Bruni:
Thank you, Baris, thank you, Your Holiness. The other question comes from Seyda Canepa, from Turkish television:
Seyda Canepa
Your Holiness, beyond official statements, have you discussed the situation in Gaza with President Erdogan, given that the Vatican and Turkey share the same vision of a two-state, two-people solution? And then regarding Ukraine, the Vatican has repeatedly emphasized Turkey's role, starting with the opening of the grain corridor at the beginning of the conflict. So, do you see any hope for a truce in Ukraine and a faster peace process in Gaza at this time? Thank you very much.
Pope Leo XIV
Thank you! We have certainly discussed both situations. The Holy See has publicly supported the proposal for a two-state solution for several years. We all know that Israel still does not accept this solution, but we see it as the only solution that could offer—let's say—a solution to the ongoing conflict. We are also friends of Israel and are seeking to mediate with both sides, helping us move closer to a solution with justice for all. We have discussed this with President Erdogan, and he certainly agrees with this proposal. Turkey has an important role to play in this.
The same goes for Ukraine. A few months ago, with the possibility of dialogue between Ukraine and Russia, the president was instrumental in convening the two sides. Unfortunately, we haven't seen a solution yet, but today there are once again concrete proposals for peace. And we hope that President Erdogan, with his relationship with the presidents of Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, can help in this regard, promoting dialogue, a ceasefire, and finding a way to resolve this conflict, this war in Ukraine. Thank you.
Greetings to everyone. Have a good trip! [Matteo Bruni] suggested that I say a word after the important ecumenical meeting in Nicaea. Yesterday morning we discussed possible future meetings. One would be in the year 2033, the two thousandth anniversary of the Redemption, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is clearly an event all Christians want to celebrate. The idea was welcomed; we haven't yet extended the invitation, but the possibility is to celebrate, for example, this great event of the Resurrection in Jerusalem in 2033. There are still years to prepare for it. However, it was a very beautiful meeting, because Christians from different traditions were present and were able to participate in this moment.
Thank you! Thank you all.
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