Pope Leo XIV has begun his first foreign visit as pontiff, traveling to Turkey and Lebanon to deliver a message of peace, dialogue, and Christian unity. The six-day trip, starting on Thursday, marks a major milestone in the pope’s early papacy, highlighting the Vatican’s commitment to global diplomacy and interfaith engagement.
As the first American pope, Leo is traveling during the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, a time that reflects his focus on gratitude, togetherness, and peace. The visit also emphasizes the pope’s intent to engage with both political and religious leaders in countries with complex social and religious landscapes.
Objectives of the Trip
The visit fulfills promises made by Pope Francis to honor the important church anniversaries in Turkey and Lebanon. Francis had planned visits to Lebanon in 2022 and Turkey in 2025 but postponed both for health reasons.
Leo’s itinerary includes meetings with political leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, as well as local Catholic communities and interfaith leaders. The pope will also continue the Vatican’s tradition of Middle Eastern diplomacy, following earlier papal visits to conflict-affected regions such as South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and the Holy Land.
Celebrating the 1,700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea
In Turkey, Pope Leo XIV will commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, held in 325 AD in modern-day Iznik. The council produced the Nicene Creed, which remains a central statement of faith for Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and other Christian communities.
Leo will pray alongside Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, and participate in interfaith ceremonies. In a letter ahead of the visit, he emphasized that the anniversary should encourage churches to “leave behind theological controversies that have lost their raison d’être” and foster reconciliation through dialogue.
The pope will also celebrate the feast of Saint Andrew and visit the ruins of the Byzantine Basilica of Saint Neophytos, while discussing themes such as environmental stewardship, an issue championed by Patriarch Bartholomew, sometimes called the “Green Patriarch.”
Visit to Lebanon: Faith, Remembrance, and Charity
Pope Leo XIV will arrive in Beirut on Sunday, visiting political leaders, youth groups, and interfaith gatherings. Highlights of the trip include:
- Praying at the site of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, which killed 218 and injured thousands.
- Visiting the monastery of Saint Maron and the tomb of Saint Charbel Makhlouf, a monk known for fostering interfaith dialogue.
- Celebrating Mass and planting a cedar tree at the Presidential Palace.
- Visiting the Dde la Croix psychiatric hospital, run by Catholic sisters.
The pope’s schedule underscores a focus on healing, peace, and solidarity in a country marked by religious diversity and recent political instability.
Travel, Security, and Logistics
Pope Leo XIV is traveling on a papal flight operated by ITA Airways, nicknamed “Shepherd One,” accompanied by around 80 journalists and Vatican officials, including cardinals overseeing Christian unity, inter-religious dialogue, and Eastern churches.
Ground transport includes cars, military helicopters, and a papal-style golf buggy for indoor events. He will stay at the Apostolic Delegation in Istanbul and the Vatican’s embassy in Beirut. While open-top transport will be used for select events, security and local conditions will dictate the specific arrangements.
Cultural Notes and Papal Firsts
- Pope Leo XIV will deliver all speeches in English and French, marking a shift from traditional Italian-language addresses.
- While visiting Turkey, he will enter the Blue Mosque but not the Hagia Sophia, reflecting Vatican sensitivities following its reconversion to a mosque in 2020.
- The trip highlights Leo’s emphasis on soft power diplomacy, using personal engagement and symbolic gestures to promote peace, unity, and interfaith understanding.
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