Pope Leo XIV’s Turkey Visit Masks Deeper Challenges for Christianity and National Sovereignty
While Pope Leo XIV receives enthusiastic applause from Turkey’s small Catholic community, his visit underscores the marginalization of Christians under an Islamic government—raising questions about religious freedom and America’s interest in global religious liberty.
As Pope Leo XIV arrived in Istanbul’s Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, greeted by cheers and chants of “Viva il Papa,” the spectacle may have seemed like a triumph for Turkey’s Catholic minority. Yet beneath this spirited welcome lies a sobering reality that demands America’s attention: a mere 33,000 Catholics exist within a nation of 85 million, dominated overwhelmingly by Sunni Islam. This stark imbalance is emblematic of the broader challenges facing religious minorities under governments that prioritize Islamist agendas over true pluralism. Is Religious Liberty in Turkey More Than Symbolism? The pope’s visit to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of...
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