Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV will make his first international trip as pontiff, visiting Türkiye and Lebanon from November 27 to December 2, 2025. The Holy See Press Office announced that the journey will take place following invitations from both the civil and ecclesiastical authorities of the two nations.
The trip will begin in Türkiye, where Pope Leo is expected to arrive on November 27 and stay until November 30. One of the most significant moments of the visit will be his pilgrimage to İznik, the ancient city of Nicaea, in commemoration of the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. The council, held in 325 AD, was a defining event in Christian history that led to the formulation of the Nicene Creed a statement of faith shared across many Christian traditions.
During his time in Türkiye, Pope is also expected to meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and other Orthodox leaders, highlighting his commitment to Christian unity and ecumenical dialogue. The visit holds strong symbolic meaning as it marks an effort to build bridges between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, as well as to strengthen interreligious understanding in a country that serves as a crossroads between East and West.
Following his visit to Türkiye, Pope Leo will continue his journey to Lebanon from November 30 to December 2. The detailed program of his Lebanese visit will be released later, but Vatican officials have indicated that Pope intends to address the ongoing hardships faced by the Lebanese people, especially the Christian communities affected by years of political and economic instability. His message is expected to focus on peace, reconciliation, and interfaith coexistence.
Pope Leo’s decision to visit Lebanon carries deep pastoral and humanitarian significance. The country has endured severe economic collapse, political uncertainty, and lingering trauma from the 2020 Beirut port explosion. By visiting, the Pope hopes to offer comfort to the suffering population and reaffirm the Church’s solidarity with all Lebanese people regardless of faith.
The journey also continues the path charted by Pope Francis, who had planned to visit Türkiye to mark the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea but was unable to do so due to health issues. Pope Leo’s acceptance of that invitation signals his intention to uphold the spirit of dialogue and outreach that characterized his predecessor’s pontificate.
This visit will make Pope Leo the fifth pontiff to travel to Türkiye. The last papal visit there took place in 2014 when Pope Francis promoted interfaith harmony between Christians and Muslims. Lebanon, too, has a special place in papal diplomacy Pope Benedict XVI last visited the nation in 2012 to deliver a message of peace and unity amid regional turmoil.
Pope Leo’s first Apostolic Journey abroad comes at a critical moment for the Middle East. By visiting both Türkiye and Lebanon, he sends a clear message of hope, reconciliation, and fraternity to regions marked by division and hardship. The trip is widely viewed as a defining moment in his papacy, offering the world an early glimpse into his vision for global unity and peace rooted in faith and mutual respect.