At 10.15 this morning, the Holy Father Francis received in audience H.E. Mr. Lütfullah Göktaş, ambassador of Turkey to the Holy See, on the occasion of the presentation of his Credential Letters.

The following is a brief biography of the new ambassador:

H.E. Mr. Lütfullah Göktaş

H.E. Mr. Lütfullah Göktaş was born on 16 December 1963 in Balıklıçeşme / Biga.

He is married with two children.

He holds a degree in theology and philosophy of Islam from the University of Marmara, and a master’s degree in history of religions from the Faculty of Missiology of the Pontifical Gregorian University.

He has held, among others, the following positions: high school teacher in lanlıurfa (1986); reader of Arabic language at the Arab Cultural Centre of Libya in Istanbul (1986-1988); freelance journalist in Istanbul (1986-1990); freelance journalist in Rome (1990-1998); journalist and correspondent in Italy for the Turkish television channel NTV (1998-2011); journalist and correspondent in Italy for the Turkish press agency Anadolu Ajansı (2003-2011); advisor and head of the Press Office of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Turkey (2011-2014); advisor and head of the Press Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey (2014-2019).