Pope Leo XIV offers prayers at Armenian cathedral in Istanbul amid Turkey and Armenia reconciliation efforts

ISTANBUL On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV conducted prayers at the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Istanbul, signaling his support for Christian minorities and promoting unity among Christian communities in Turkey. Beyond its spiritual significance, the visit is seen as a subtle endorsement of ongoing efforts to mend the long-standing historical rift between Turkey and Armenia.

Observers note that the visit touches on sensitive historical issues. An estimated 1.5 million Armenians perished through killings, deportations, and forced marches that began in 1915 in the Ottoman Empire. While historians generally recognize these events as genocide, Turkey disputes the classification, claiming the fatalities resulted from civil unrest and war rather than a coordinated extermination campaign. The Turkish government has also lobbied internationally to prevent formal recognition of the massacres as genocide.

During his papacy, Pope Francis previously avoided direct Armenian sites in Turkey but made an impromptu visit in 2014 to a hospital treating the ailing Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II. In 2015, Francis referred to the Armenian massacres as the first genocide of the 20th century, drawing criticism from Ankara. Leo XIV, however, has maintained a careful approach, making only subtle references to historical suffering during his first months as pope. This visit allows me to thank God for the steadfast Christian witness of the Armenian people throughout history, often under tragic circumstances, he said.

The timing of Leo's visit aligns with moves toward Turkey-Armenia rapprochement. Richard Giragosian, director of the Regional Studies Center in Yerevan, suggested the visit not only strengthens Vatican-Armenian Church ties but also encourages normalization between the two nations.

Leo arrived in Turkey on Thursday to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in Iznik, a historic site where early Christian leaders agreed on a shared creed. His itinerary also included travel to Lebanon.

Turkey and Armenia have no formal diplomatic relations, and their border has been closed since the 1990s. Efforts to normalize ties began in 2021, with special envoys exploring steps toward reconciliation. These talks run alongside attempts to ease tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a close ally of Turkey. Armenia and Azerbaijan have a long-standing conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, with Turkey supporting Azerbaijan in the 2020 escalation.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Turkey in June for discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He emphasized that international recognition of the genocide is not a current government priority, though he affirmed it as an indisputable fact for Armenians. Leo XIV was not expected to advocate for formal recognition of the genocide during his visit.

The papal visit followed the traditions of his predecessors. Pope Leo XIV and Istanbul Patriarch Sahak II Mashalian entered the cathedral amid incense and hymns, with around 500 Armenian worshippers attending. A dedication ceremony followed, where the pope unveiled a marble plaque in his honor. Previous popes, including Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI, have visited the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Istanbul.

The Papacy has long served as a moral compass, defending human dignity and supporting communities in need, Patriarch Sahak said. Armenians remember popes who spoke out in times of suffering and stood with Christian communities in danger.

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni highlighted the importance of maintaining connections with Armenian Christians, noting the historical roots of their presence in Istanbul. Locals expressed mixed views: some appreciated the gesture as recognition of Armenian history, while others doubted it would affect Turkish policy but valued ongoing dialogue.

The visit occurs amid internal Armenian tensions, including protests in April 2024 against Pashinyans normalization efforts with Azerbaijan. Arrests of clerics, including Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, who received a two-year sentence for allegedly calling for government overthrow, have sparked controversy. Vatican-Azerbaijan cooperation on interfaith dialogue earlier this year also drew Armenian criticism.

Despite these challenges, the Vatican is reportedly engaged in quiet diplomacy to secure the release of Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan, with reports indicating 23 Armenians remain imprisoned in Baku.

Leo XIVs visit reflects a combination of spiritual leadership, historical acknowledgment, and cautious diplomacy aimed at strengthening Christian solidarity and supporting regional reconciliation.

Analysis: The Diplomatic and Spiritual Significance of Pope Leo XIV's Visit to Istanbul

Pope Leo XIV's recent visit to Istanbul, which included prayers at the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, has garnered attention for both its spiritual and diplomatic significance. The visit comes at a time when Turkey and Armenia are attempting to mend their historically strained relationship, which has been marked by the unresolved issue of the 1915 Armenian massacres. While the pope did not explicitly call for the recognition of the genocide, his gesture is seen as an endorsement of ongoing efforts to reconcile the two nations and foster unity among Christian communities in the region.

The papal visit is also noteworthy for its subtle handling of the delicate historical issues between Turkey and Armenia. While Pope Francis in the past took a more direct stance, referring to the Armenian massacres as "the first genocide of the 20th century," Pope Leo XIV has opted for a more cautious approach. His focus on the steadfastness of the Armenian Christian community throughout history, often in the face of suffering, resonates as a call for recognition of past traumas without directly engaging in the politically sensitive issue of genocide recognition.

In a broader context, the pope's visit aligns with the ongoing efforts to normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia. The closure of their border since the 1990s and the lack of formal diplomatic ties has posed significant challenges, but the normalization process, which began in 2021, seems to be gaining momentum. Notably, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's visit to Turkey in June and his emphasis on a non-priority approach to genocide recognition signal a pragmatic shift in the diplomatic landscape.

The Vatican's role in this process is crucial. While Pope Leo XIV's visit to Istanbul strengthens ties between the Vatican and the Armenian Apostolic Church, it also signals the Vatican's continued support for Christian minorities in the region. Local reactions to the pope’s visit have been mixed, with some viewing it as an acknowledgment of Armenia's historical plight, while others are skeptical about any direct impact on Turkish policy. However, the overall message of the visit seems clear: the Vatican is committed to fostering dialogue and promoting reconciliation, even in the face of complex and unresolved historical issues.

In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Istanbul was a careful balancing act of spiritual solidarity and diplomatic messaging. While it did not break new ground on the recognition of historical events, it did reaffirm the Vatican's commitment to promoting peace, unity, and Christian solidarity in a region long marked by conflict and division. The long-term impact of this visit remains to be seen, but it undeniably contributes to the ongoing process of reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey.

Sources:

• Pope Leo XIV prays at Armenian cathedral in Istanbul as Turkey and Armenia attempt reconciliation