On September 13, 2025, a meeting took place in Istanbul between His Beatitude Theophilus, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. During the discussion, both parties reaffirmed the importance of maintaining the historical status quo in Jerusalem.

Patriarch Theophilus reminded those present of the significance of the Pact of Umar, established in the 7th century between Patriarch Sophronius and Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, which laid the foundations for the protection of Christian holy sites and religious institutions in the Holy Land. According to the Patriarch, this responsibility still rests with Muslim rulers today, and the Hashemite dynasty exemplarily fulfills this duty by preserving the holy places.

The Patriarch emphasized that the protection of Jerusalem's spiritual heritage must be rooted in the spirit of peace, as articulated by the Apostle Paul: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18). He expressed gratitude to President Erdoğan for recognizing the significance of this heritage and highlighted the necessity of cooperation to ensure that the holy sites remain sources of hope and unity for the peoples of the region.

As noted on the website of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, the meeting was conducted in a spirit of brotherhood and solidarity, with discussions underscoring the historical and spiritual ties between the Holy Land and Turkey.