Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

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President Recep Erdogan in 2020 converted the former Byzantine church, the Hagia Sophia back into a mosque.

How difficult is it to be a Christian in Turkey? What you need to know

Jan 29, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

Terrorists stormed a Catholic church during Mass on Sunday in Istanbul, Turkey, killing one person by shooting him in the... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, on May 17, 2021.

Pope Francis meets with Iran’s foreign minister, speaks to Turkish president about Palestinians

May 17, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Iran's foreign minister said that he and the pope “exchanged views” on Palestine, interfaith dialogue, and U.S. sanctions on Iran. Read more

Hagia Sophia, which was inaugurated as a mosque July 24.

Watch groups: Christians in Turkey face suppression, exploitation

Dec 8, 2020

Christians in Turkey are being systematically suppressed or exploited for political gains, warns a new report from two human rights... Read more

The apse of the 700-year-old Chora Church in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey turns second historic Istanbul church into mosque

Aug 21, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

A month after the former cathedral Hagia Sophia was converted from a museum into a mosque, another Istanbul church-museum, renowned... Read more

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey.

Indonesian Muslim party warns Erdogan could spark global ‘clash of civilizations’

Jul 24, 2020

An Islamic political party in Indonesia said Tuesday that Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could spark a civilizational clash because of... Read more

Hagia Sophia, which will be inaugurated as a mosque July 24.

Catholic, Eastern Orthodox Churches to observe day of mourning for Hagia Sophia

Jul 21, 2020

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops said Tuesday that July 24 “is a Day of Mourning” for Hagia Sophia. The... Read more

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey.

Hagia Sophia declared a mosque hours after court ruling

Jul 10, 2020

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has signed a decree converting Hagia Sophia, the former cathedral of Holy Wisdom in Istanbul, into... Read more

Caption: A view of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey on Nov. 27, 2014.

Turkish court ruling paves way for Hagia Sophia to be turned into mosque

Jul 10, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

A Turkish court paved the way Friday for the former Christian basilica Hagia Sophia in Istanbul to be turned back... Read more

Hagia Sophia, a museum in Istanbul which was formerly a church, and then a mosque.

Hagia Sophia belongs 'to all of humanity', Eastern Orthodox patriarch says amid mosque plans

Jul 9, 2020

While Turkey’s president has made moves to close the museum at the former Christian basilica Hagia Sophia and revert it... Read more

Senator Lindsey Graham speaks at a National Press Club luncheon in Washington, D.C., Sept. 8, 2015.

Senators reportedly blocked Armenian genocide resolutions at White House request

Nov 25, 2019

By Matt Hadro

Congressional resolutions recognizing the Armenian genocide were reportedly blocked by Republican senators at the direction of the White House.  Read more

Pope Francis with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, in Vatican City, Feb. 5, 2018.

Pope, Turkish president, discuss Middle East in first Vatican meeting

Feb 5, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Monday, Pope Francis and the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, met at the Vatican, discussing the situation in... Read more