This came in a congratulatory message sent by the Turkish President to the newly elected Pope Prevost, according to a statement from the Turkish Presidency's account on the X platform.
The statement said that President Erdogan congratulated Pope Leo XIV and expressed his desire to make joint efforts to end the humanitarian tragedies, especially in Gaza.
"On behalf of myself and the Turkish people, I extend my sincere congratulations to you on your election to the papacy," Erdogan said.
He added, "The late Pope Francis was a statesman who won the admiration of the entire world for his great efforts to establish peace and tolerance at a time of intensifying regional and international conflicts."
President Erdoğan continued, "I am fully confident that we will continue the sincere and constructive dialogue we established with Pope Francis," noting that strengthening relations between Turkey and the Vatican will significantly contribute to promoting tolerance internationally and ending humanitarian tragedies, particularly in Gaza.
On May 7, the Vatican's conclave officially began its meetings to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21.
In its fourth session, held on Thursday, the conclave elected 69-year-old American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the Vatican's new pope.
Prevost received no fewer than 89 votes from the 133 participating cardinals, becoming the 267th pope in the history of the Catholic Church, and chose the name "Leo XIV."
