ANKARA

Pope Francis started his three-day visit to Turkey in Ankara with a visit to Turkey's founding leader Ataturk's resting place, Anitkabir.

Arriving at Anıtkabir around 1:30 p.m. local time, the Pope first left a star-and-crescent wreath of red and white carnations on Ataturk's tomb with "Pope Francis" written on it. Then he took a moment, clasped his hands and prayed for Ataturk's soul. 

After a photo and video moment just outside the mausoleum, the Pope headed to a special room to write in Ataturk's Memorial Book.

Pope Francis expressed his best wishes to Turkey with his message in Italian in the special memorial. He described the country as a "natural bridge" and "a cross roads where men and women of good will of all cultures, ethnicities and religions come together."

Later he visited the museum inside Anitkabir and spoke with officials about it.

The Pope was accompanied by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu during his visit to Anitkabir. 

Prominent Turkish actress Serra Yilmaz was also present at the visit, as she sometimes acts as a special cultural representative for official visits.

The Pope's next stop is the newly built Turkish Presidential Palace, where he will be received by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Later, the head of Turkey's religious affairs directorate, Mehmet Gormez, will meet with Pope Francis, and the two will hold a joint press conference.

 The Supreme Pontiff will depart early Saturday for Istanbul, where he is expected to hold a Mass at the Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, and to pay a visit to Sultanahmet Mosque.

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