P
ope Leo XIV's first international journey, from Turkey to Lebanon, revealed a pontiff intent on placing Christian history and symbolism at the heart of his papacy and situating each of his ethical positions within a clear legal framework. His diplomacy stood out for its narrative subtlety and for its constant reference to law, which he used as a universal foundation in politically fragile environments.
Subscribers only
In Lebanon and Turkey, Leo XIV stands out for his measured diplomacy
Upon his arrival in Ankara, he visited Atatürk's mausoleum, a way to remind observers that modern Turkey is built on a secular legal architecture currently being reinterpreted and influenced by those in power. This highly symbolic gesture preceded a speech in which he emphasized "fundamental" freedom and the "dignity of all" – notions that, in his usage, are always rooted in a specific register: that of international law and human rights. He frequently invoked these without naming the specific texts, but by adopting their language. For example, his call to recognize the plurality of religious identities in Turkey explicitly referenced the country's international commitments to religious freedom.
