'Islamic on the surface, Vatican underneath!'

The American Pope Leo XIV came and went... The debate has not ended.

He completed his visit with a programloaded with symbols from start to finishand departedfrom Turkey.But he also stirred up

the politics quitea bit.stirred.

As I followed the developments on news channels and social media, I was reminded of Pope Benedict XVI's visit in 2006.

Let's go back about 20 years.

When the Pope intended to come to Turkey,the political Islamists, who had filled their sails with the windfrom across the Atlantic, had been in power for a shit had beenyears. They would wait for about tenyears to collapse upon the army, the judiciary, the bureaucracy… in short, everything that goes by the name of "the state." Because they proceededat a slow, steady pace so as not to startle anyone, the people of my country were still unaware of whatwas about to befall them.was unaware of the news.

Tayyip Erdoğan realized from the days he first sat in the Prime Minister's chair that foreign policywas an extremely productive channel forconverting into domestic political gain. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had for years been the country'snationalmemory.TheHe knew that he would not easily be able to master the critical issues of a foreign policy that he had meticulously woven by placing his own interests at the center.Thismedium offered tremendous opportunities in terms of bringing the people of my country into line by invoking "homeland, nation" or "God, religion, faith," but in those years, the state reflex of the Republic of Turkey was still strong, and he was forced to reluctantly hit the brakes.

This medium offered tremendous opportunities in terms of bringing the people of my country into line by invoking "homeland, nation" or "God, religion, faith," but in those years, the state reflex of the Republic of Turkey was still strong, and he was forced to reluctantly hit the brakes.interms of bringing the people of my country into line by invoking "homeland, nation" or "God, religion, faith," but in those years, the state reflex of the Republic of Turkey was still strong, and he was forced to reluctantly hit the brakes.the Republic of Turkey was still strong, and he was forced to reluctantly hit the brakes.He was forced to hit the brakes.

After coming to power, they had gradually completed their warm-up rounds in diplomacy, dealing with issues like the EU and Cyprus.

But theywanted to see what 2007 would bring and take away in order to take full control of thehelm.Because in Aprilthere was the Presidential election, and in July there was the generalelection. Moreover, at the sametime, the closure case filedagainstthe AKP would beconcluded.If it canget through this processwithout any accidents or trouble, especially if it also If he could get himself or Abdullah Gül into theÇankayaPresidential Palace, his hand would beextremely strengthened, and he would be able to directforeign policy as he wished.

It was in sucha climate that Pope Benedict XVI, who was known by allto not be very fond of Turkey, made an officialset out for Ankara for his visit.His primary intention was to attend the Feast of Saint Andrew in Istanbul. Negotiations with Ankara had begun months

before. Benedict XVI was notparticularly concerned with the “diplomatic” aspect of the visit.However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairswas focused on his visit to Turkey as“Head of State of the Vatican”.agreed to the insistence that he come with the title of 'head of state.' The top leadership of the state did not want this visit to be conducted under a religious guise.

Nevertheless, every word that cameout of the mouth of the spiritual leader of theentire Catholic world was extremelyimportant beThose in the Chinese Foreign Ministry were listening with rapt attention. Turkey had no “luxury” to delay. Diplomats, before he was elected Pope and while his name was still Joseph Ratzinger, analyzed the “T” he madeTurkey's admissionto the EU wouldbe a huge mistake, contrary to the flowof history,' hehadnoted well thestatements. InAnkara, they will place beforehim.

It is notjust that statement;the remarks from the Vaticanclaiming that “there is noreligiousfreedom in Turkey” are also signiwas another source of discomfort. This also suited the political Islamist government because they could use the criticismsdirected at Turkey as a pretext to create political space for themselves to reinforce their ideologicallines.

Let us continue...

As the visit entered its final phase, a serious crisis emerged.emerged. The program could not beclarified in anyway. Erdoğan was not verykeen onappearing in the same photograph as the Pope.There was less than ayear left until the election, and having already brought the Islamist base to a ready state, such aphotographgraph was considered a "risk"anditwas thought.

Then an intermediate formula was found.

Erdoğan met the Pope at the airport and held a 20-minute "standing"meeting in the VIP lounge.ited. Of course, hedid not neglect to seize the opportunity to ask for support for Turkey's EU membership.The Pope, however, deflected this move with a highly diplomatic response, saying, "We are not political, but we would like to see Turkey join the EU."The person who truly set Benedict XVI straight was President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

The person who truly set Benedict XVI straight was President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

The Pope was welcomed at the ÇankayaPresidencywith a "B Protocol," meaning a ceremonywithout a military band or nationalanthems. The PresidentialGuard Regiment, in the absence of the band's nationalanthemanthems being played, cannon salutes, the visiting head of state saying "Hello soldier!" to greet theceremonialguard unit...

Noneof them were there.

The meaning of thiswas clear.

The meeting at the ÇankayaKöşk hadtwo, or perhaps three, important agendaitems. One of these wasTurkey'sposition.–EU relationships.

We had become a full member candidate in 1999, but Europe's prominent, arrogant big brothers were still treating Turkey likean unwanted outsider.

For this reason, Sezer first he put the EU issue on the table, saying, "We expect a fair and equal approach." Then, he added, "Our accession to the EU is important in terms of evaluating peace and civilizational values together. This also shows that different cultures can live on common foundationsdemonstrating thatshows,” he added.

Then it wasthe Vatican's turn to addressthe criticisms that “there is no religious freedominTurkey.” Sezer handled the matter within a legalframework. framework.i. Because he is a polite person,he didnot say "we are fed up with empty talk" directly, but he implied it:

"Freedom of religion andbelief isguaranteedby the constitution. This isthe Tis the right of the citizens of theRepublic of Turkey. Rights and freedoms are not from the perspective of religious groups,but on the basis of citizenshipunderguarantee.”

Benedict XVI hasnothing left to sayHe was silent. He kept quiet.

Now, let's get to the crux of the matter...

In 2006, Turkey, while addressing the issue of secularism,was standing on a line confident enough to show that this was not a“regime debate.”

Approximately 20 years have paspassed. Adifferent Pope, this time a completely different Turkey has arrived.

When we place 2006 and 2025 side by side,the picture that emerges shows not only the point reached in diplomatic relations, but also the state of Turkey's political climate, the dforeign policy, internal debates and more importantly, the mindset it has undergonea great transformation.

In 2006, Sezer did not personalizethe criticisms regarding religious freedom; he presented the issue within the framework of"citizenship rights."

This tone may soundnostalgic, or perhaps like a joke today. However, at thattime, the state's most controa period where even controversial headlines could be discussed with institutional composure. Foreign policy was not conducted through slogans, but based on the country's supreme interests.

Today, however, the axis of foreign policy is popularity, the needs of domestic politics, and "flexible fdetermined according tothe outside.The institutional reflex of 2006 has been replaced by a more political, more conjunctural practicein the current situation.

In short,over all these years,Turkeyhas experienced a sharp shift in axis, swinging from the emphasis on secularism coming from the top of the state to "faith diplomacy."experienced it.

During the Sezerera, secularism was the state's most important point of reference. In 2025, however, at the top of the staterhetoric, secularism has become a concept that is almost never pronounced. Debates on religious freedomhave moved away from their legal basis andhavecarried to a cultural, identitarian, and even ideologicalcontext.

Erdoğan, who avoided appearing in the same frame as the Pope in 2006, todayposes side-by-side with the Pope. Moreover, upon his arrival at the hall where the ceremony washeld, he is welcomed with the nasheed sung during Prophet Muhammad's entryinto Medina.Diplomatic protocol

Diplomatic protocolCramming a "divine performance" into theday can only be explained byTurkey's current political aesthetic codes.There is a"spirituality show" in front of the cameras, but it is incredibly awkward; the organization is completely disjointed. the musician playingis someone, as ifhe was in the middle of it, keeping rhythm with his head, the girls singing hymns of on top Islamic, underneath Vatican...

However, Sezer had welcomed Pope Benedict XVI with a ceremony without a band or anthems.There was neither a Presidential Guard nor were national anthems being played.nor had any cannon fire been exchanged.

From thatday to this...

Imagine you are nowinside a surreal painting.

The 20 years that havepassed...

The seriousness of the state has eroded, symbols havebecomeempty propaganda tools,andforeignpolicyhas been turned intoa backdrop for domestic politics.has been, moreover, a vulgarpopulisthas dominated an entire political aestheticandhas takenhold!

GThis is the summary of what is visible.

Two Popes...

Two Turkey...

Let us ask where we came from and where we have arrived,and let us put a period to our article.