Republic Day celebrated at the Vatican Palace

Vatican Secretary for Relations with States (Foreign Minister) Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher expressed that he shared the happiness of the Turkish people on this special day, which marks the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, at the reception held at the historic Cancelleria Palace on the occasion of the October 29 Republic Day.

Türkiye's Ambassador to the Vatican, Ufuk Ulutaş, who hosted the reception at the historic palace belonging to the Vatican in the city center of Rome, welcomed his guests at the door. The event was attended by numerous guests, including Monsignor Gallagher, Undersecretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Vatican Monsignor Miroslaw Stanislaw Wachowski, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to the Vatican Ilgar Mukhtarov, Australia's Ambassador to the Vatican Chiara Porro, and the TRNC Representative in Rome Mustafa Kemal Beyazbayram.

The reception began with the national anthems of both countries, followed by the reading of the Republic Day message from President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Ambassador Ulutaş stated that he was honored to host the Republic Day reception for the second time and said, "I commemorate those who lost their lives in the heinous terrorist attack that took place in Ankara last week. I pray for God's mercy upon our martyrs and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded." He also expressed that he commemorated the founder of the Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and other founding figures.

Expressing that he commemorated the founder of the Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and those who contributed to its establishment, Ulutaş said, "For centuries, our lands and our nation have played a vital role in the geopolitics of Europe, the Middle East, West Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean and beyond. Our interaction with European states, including the Vatican, in what is called the West, has shaped European history."

Ulutaş stated that what is happening in Palestine and Gaza is a crime against humanity.

He also thanked Vatican Secretary for Relations with States (Foreign Minister) Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher for the support the Vatican showed to Türkiye during the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes.

Monsignor Gallagher, stating that he was happy to be with the ambassador and embassy staff to celebrate the 101st anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, said, "I share your sincere joy regarding the founding day of the Republic of Türkiye." Reminding that Türkiye-Vatican relations were established in 1960, Gallagher stated that this positive relationship continues within a friendly and respectful framework. Gallagher also recalled that Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and in 2014, Pope Francis had visited Türkiye from the Vatican.

Emphasizing Türkiye's regional responsibility, Gallagher noted that some important holy sites in the history of Christianity are located in Türkiye. "Next year, we are preparing an important event in İznik to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the first council held in 325," he said.

In another interesting part of the reception, the "Meşkin Üç Ahengi" group, founded in 2022 by artists Murat Salim Tokaç, Ali Yılmaz, and Deniz Şahin, gave a traditional Turkish music concert. Following the concert, which was highly appreciated, guests were served select delicacies from Turkish and Italian cuisines.