Pope Leo XIV arrived in Turkey on Thursday for a four-day visit where he will hold talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and meet Christian leaders on the first overseas trip of his papacy.

The trip, which includes a second leg to Lebanon, begins in the Turkish capital Ankara, where the first American pope landed shortly after midday.

"I have very much been looking forward to this trip because of what it means for Christians, but it is also a great message to the whole world," he told reporters travelling with him on his plane, describing it as a "historic moment".

After paying his respects at the mausoleum dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, Leo will head into talks with Erdogan, who is seen as a key player for peace efforts in a region fraught with co

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