Global News Podcast – Pope calls for peace on Turkey visit

Host: Celia Hatton (BBC World Service)
Date: November 27, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode centers on Pope Leo XIV's first international visit since becoming pontiff, as he travels to Turkey and calls for peace amid rising global tensions. The podcast also covers key world events: an attack on National Guard officers in Washington, U.S.-Venezuela airline disputes, a high-profile cyberattack on Japan's Asahi brewery, legal troubles over plane-spotting in South Korea, and Australian teens challenging a social media ban.

1. Pope Leo XIV’s Visit to Turkey: A Call for Peace

Segment: [01:06] – [07:47]

Overview

• Pope Leo XIV arrives in Turkey on his first foreign trip with the aim to foster peace and interfaith dialogue.
• Turkey, a Muslim-majority nation with a small Christian population, welcomes the Pope in Ankara with full ceremonial honors.
• The Pope praises Turkey’s historic role as a bridge between peoples and calls for regional stability, referencing Turkey’s mediation in the Gaza war.

Key Discussion Points

• Papal Speech:
  • “Centuries of conflict... the world around us is still destabilized by ambitions and choices that trample on justice and peace... May Turkey be a source of stability and rapprochement between peoples.” – Pope Leo XIV, translated by Jake Kwon ([02:46])
• President Erdogan’s Response:
  • Erdogan expresses gratitude for the Pope's attention to the Palestinian issue and reaffirms support for a two-state solution based on 1967 borders.
  • “As the large family of humanity, our greatest debt to the Palestinian people is justice... implement without delay the two-state solution vision based on 1967 borders.” – President Erdogan, via Vanessa Bushleuter ([03:28])
• Purpose & Itinerary:
  • Hilken Boren (BBC Turkish): The visit emphasizes both peace in the Middle East and unity within Christianity.
  • The Pope will visit significant Christian sites, attend a commemoration in Iznik (Nicaea), and meet religious leaders across denominations ([04:06]–[05:22]).
• Local Reaction in Turkey:
  • Low public awareness, logistical disruptions in Istanbul, and shopkeeper concerns over security closures.
  • Locals in Iznik mostly see the visit as boosting tourism rather than religious significance ([06:01]).
• Political Context:
  • The visit occurs during political tensions in Turkey, with opposition leaders facing government repression.
  • “The international response to these political moves has been muted... Presidents visiting Erdogan tread carefully, given Ankara’s role as mediator in global crises.” – Hilken Boren ([07:11])

2. Attack on National Guard Officers in Washington, D.C.

Segment: [07:47] – [10:22]

Key Details

• Two National Guard officers were shot in a targeted ambush. The suspect, Ramanullah Leckenwal, is an Afghan who entered the US under "Operation Allies Welcome."
• Both officers, Sarah Beckstrom (20) and Andrew Wolf (24), are in critical condition.
• The suspect allegedly traveled from Washington state specifically to carry out the attack.

Notable Quote

• “Two uniformed guardsmen were ambushed in a brazen and targeted attack... Armed with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver... He drove across the country with the intended target of coming to our nation’s capital.” – Jeanine Pirro, D.C. Attorney General ([08:32])

3. Ongoing Tensions: Gaza Ceasefire and Israel-Hamas Confrontations

Segment: [10:22] – [12:25]

Key Discussion Points

• A “Yellow Line” now divides Hamas-controlled and Israeli-occupied zones in Gaza as part of a fragile ceasefire.
• Dozens of Hamas fighters remain trapped behind Israeli lines in tunnels.
• Israeli forces have killed several fighters as they emerge, with the situation threatening to derail the ceasefire.

Notable Quote

• “Israel is not willing to compromise on this... Even though these fighters pose a danger to its troops, surrender has not been permitted.” – Yolande Nell, Jerusalem ([10:54])

4. Venezuela’s Airline Ban: Tensions with the U.S.

Segment: [12:25] – [15:52]

Key Discussion Points

• Six major international airlines banned from Venezuela after failing to resume flights within a 48-hour ultimatum.
• The ban follows U.S. warnings about military activity near Caracas, seen by Venezuela as political maneuvering.
• Background: U.S. accuses President Maduro of drug trafficking and regime illegitimacy; Venezuela views airline suspensions as siding with the U.S.

Notable Quote

• “It is a punishment... Many people said that was a bit like cutting off your nose to spite your face.” – Vanessa Bushleuter ([12:56])
• “U.S. military operations are so big, they look more like an attempt at regime change.” – Vanessa Bushleuter ([14:47])

5. Release of Tunisian Activist Sonia Damani

Segment: [18:00] – [19:26]

Key Details

• Prominent lawyer and activist Sonia Damani freed after 18 months’ detention under Tunisia’s cybercrime law, following criticism of government policy toward migrants.
• Damani is a notable critic of President Kais Saied's increasingly authoritarian rule.

Notable Quote

• “She has been one of the people who has really stood out against this [one-man rule].” – Sebastian Usher ([18:36])

6. South Korea Charges Chinese Teens with Espionage over Plane Spotting

Segment: [19:26] – [22:36]

Key Discussion Points

• Two Chinese teenagers arrested and charged with “aiding the enemy” for photographing jet fighters near military bases, facing potential life sentences.
• Found with telephoto lenses and walkie talkies, evidence of repeated visits to airfields.
• The arrest exacerbates already rising anti-China sentiment in South Korea, with the Chinese ambassador warning against generalizing negative views.

Notable Quotes

• “They have been charged with a crime called aiding the enemy... carries a penalty of minimum three years and up to a life in prison.” – Jake Kwon ([19:46])
• “The anti-China sentiment is being exploited to peddle these conspiracy theories about how Chinese are... to displace South Koreans and stealing elections.” – Jake Kwon ([21:27])

7. Japan’s Asahi Beer Hit by Massive Cyber Attack

Segment: [22:36] – [26:06]

Key Discussion Points

• Ransomware attack in late September halts production, causes Super Dry beer shortages, and leaks personal details of 1.5 million customers and employees.
• The attack disrupts Asahi’s ability to publish financial results and forces staff to use outdated methods (pen, paper, fax).

Notable Quotes

• “They spent the best part of two months trying to contain the attack... Staff were using pen and paper and fax machines just to process the orders.” – Nick Marsh ([23:25])
• “Asahi supplies 40% of all of Japan’s beer domestically... this is a really big company.” – Nick Marsh ([25:16])

8. Australian Teens Challenge Social Media Ban

Segment: [26:06] – [29:50]

Key Discussion Points

• Australian government set to ban under-16s from certain social media platforms (e.g., TikTok, YouTube), citing child safety.
• Teens Macy Nayland and Noah Jones begin legal action, claiming the ban infringes their constitutional right to participate in public debate.

Notable Quotes

• “This case is emphasising the constitutional rights of young Australians to discuss politics. And this ban... removes an entire age group from engaging in our modern way of communicating.” – Macy Nayland ([26:50])
• “It’s basically making us invisible and we won’t be able to share our opinions or views.” – Noah Jones ([27:29])
• “Kids are going to find ways around it... That’s just going to put them in a more risky position later on.” – Noah Jones ([29:14])

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Pope Leo XIV: “May Turkey be a source of stability and rapprochement between peoples.” ([02:56])
• President Erdogan: “Our greatest debt to the Palestinian people is justice... the way to repay this debt is to implement without delay the two-state solution.” ([03:28])
• On social media ban: “This ban... completely removes an entire age group from engaging in our modern way of communicating politically.” – Macy Nayland ([26:50])
• On cyberattacks: “Staff were using pen and paper and fax machines just to process the orders.” – Nick Marsh ([23:25])
• On South Korea’s anti-China sentiment: “It doesn’t matter where you stand on the politics... anti-China sentiment is quite broad here.” – Jake Kwon ([21:27])

Timestamps: Key Segments

• Pope in Turkey – Call for Peace: [01:06]–[07:47]
• DC National Guard Attack: [07:47]–[10:22]
• Gaza Ceasefire Challenges: [10:22]–[12:25]
• Venezuela Airline Ban: [12:25]–[15:52]
• Release of Tunisian Activist: [18:00]–[19:26]
• South Korea Charges Chinese Teens: [19:26]–[22:36]
• Asahi Cyber Attack: [22:36]–[26:06]
• Australian Social Media Ban Challenge: [26:06]–[29:50]

This summary covers the episode’s core discussions and provides contextual insights and notable soundbites, maintaining the reportage clarity and tone of the BBC Global News Podcast.