Ankara seeks papal approval after Erdogan crackdown

TURKEY is keen on maintaining good relations with the Vatican following the crushing of the attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, writes Christa Pongratz-Lippitt.

Speaking on 7 August, Turkey’s ambassador to the Holy See, Mehmet Pacaci, told the German Catholic internet portal katholisch.de: “We expect the support of the Holy See. It is a matter of 250 martyrs for democracy.”

The crackdown in Turkey following the coup attempt against Erdogan has seen tens of thousands of public sector workers suspended or dismissed, and 18,000 people detained.