Nathalie Ritzmann

Nathalie Ritzmann is a freelance Franco-Turkish journalist and photographer based in Turkey for almost 20 years.

Articles by Nathalie Ritzmann

Belkız, 61, was born into a Muslim family in Turkey. After reading books on materialist philosophy in her youth, she became an atheist at 15 but eventually became a Christian and then a Catholic. Credit: Nathalie Ritzmann

From Islam to the Catholic Church: One Turkish woman shares her story of faith

Aug 21, 2024 / 06:00 am

Born in Turkey, Belkiz went from practicing Islam to becoming an atheist and then discovering Catholicism after a moment with a Protestant friend.

After traveling to Istanbul on July 25, 1967, for a celebration at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, the pope visited the Orthodox patriarchal Church of St. George with the ecumenical patriarch, Athenagoras I, Orthodox archbishop of Constantinople, three years after exchanging a kiss of peace together during a pilgrimage and peace tour of the Holy Land. Credit: Marius Pelletier

Remembering Pope Paul VI’s historic visit to Turkey

Jul 25, 2024 / 06:00 am

On July 25, 1967, Pope Paul VI set foot on Turkish soil — the first papal visit to Istanbul since it was called Constantinople.

On Friday, June 7, 2024, the day of the feast of the Sacred Heart, the Catholic Church in Turkey was consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in St. John's Cathedral, Izmir. Credit: Nathalie Ritzmann

Catholic Church in Turkey consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Jun 10, 2024 / 15:15 pm

Monsignor Marek Solczyński, apostolic nuncio to Turkey, presided over the ceremony and was surrounded by bishops from the country’s Catholic communities.

Kariye, the former Byzantine Church of St. Savior in Chora in Istanbul in 2020. Credit: Nathalie Ritzmann

PHOTOS: Former Byzantine Church converted to a mosque in Istanbul is reopened

May 9, 2024 / 06:00 am

The Church of St. Savior in Chora was converted into a mosque in 1511, then became a museum in 1948 for 72 years before being reopened this month.