Cihat Yaycı reacts to Pope's visit: 'Who invited him to Turkey?'

Retired Rear Admiral Cihat Yaycı made notable statements regarding Pope Francis's visit to Turkey. In a post on his social media account, Yaycı raised the question, "Who invited the Pope to Turkey?" Yaycı alleged that the invitation was issued without proper authorization.

BARTHOLOMEW'S INVITATION

Stating that he had brought this issue to the agenda on May 17, 2024, Yaycı expressed that although Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople is a religious official under the Fatih District Governorship, he acts as if he were a head of state and officially invited Pope Francis to Turkey. Yaycı noted that Bartholomew said, "Let us celebrate the 1700th anniversary in Nicaea (İznik) in 2025 with a renewed crusader spirit and a Roman theme," and emphasized that he had exceeded his authority.

REACTIONS AND INTERNATIONAL REFLECTIONS

Regarding the invitation process, Yaycı said, "Bartholomew puts himself in the position of a head of state, and as if Turkey were Christian land, he is preparing a ceremony in Nicaea with the Pope." He also noted that the foreign press uses the term "spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians" for Bartholomew and that he has begun to effectively implement the title of ecumenical, which is prohibited by the Treaty of Lausanne.

AUTHORITY DEBATE

Regarding the Pope's visit to Turkey and Bartholomew's stance, Yaycı posed the questions: "By what authority does he invite the Pope to Turkey? By what right can he say, 'We will celebrate the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea next year'?" He also recalled Bartholomew's participation in international political meetings in Lisbon and his attendance at peace talks in Sweden, Switzerland, and the Ukraine-Russia conflict in previous years.

Cihat Yaycı concluded his statement by recalling the public reaction that would occur if a Turkish imam were to exhibit similar behavior: "All those who shout about secularism remain silent when it comes to a priest," he stated.

News Source: 12punto