Vatican : Pope Leo XIV will make his first international apostolic journey from November 27 to December 2, visiting Türkiye and Lebanon in a trip deeply rooted in history, faith, and dialogue. The Vatican announced the detailed schedule, marking Pope’s first overseas mission since his election earlier this year.
The six-day journey will commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicea, held in 325 AD, a landmark event that shaped Christian doctrine and unity. The visit is expected to emphasize Pope Leo’s vision for strengthening ecumenical and interfaith relations while standing in solidarity with communities facing hardship.
The trip begins in Ankara, where Pope Leo will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and address civil leaders and diplomats. He will then travel to Istanbul for several key events, including meetings with bishops, priests, and members of religious communities. A highlight will be his journey to the ancient city of Nicea, now İznik, where he will lead an ecumenical prayer service near the remains of the Basilica of St. Neophytos a symbolic gesture connecting the Church’s origins to its mission today.
In Istanbul, Pope is scheduled to visit the Blue Mosque, one of the most iconic sites of Muslim worship, underscoring his message of interreligious respect.
He will also meet Christian leaders at the Syriac Orthodox Church of Mor Ephrem and join the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I for a Doxology service at the Church of St. George. Their meeting will culminate in a joint declaration aimed at fostering closer ties between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.
On November 30, the Feast of St. Andrew, Pope will attend a Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Church of St. George before traveling to Lebanon later that day.
In Lebanon, Pope Leo will meet the nation’s top political leaders, including the President, Prime Minister, and Speaker of Parliament. His visit will include a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Charbel Makhlouf in Annaya and prayers at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa. He will also gather with Catholic Patriarchs and lead an ecumenical and interreligious meeting at Beirut’s Martyrs’ Square, symbolizing hope and unity for a country struggling with political and economic challenges.
Pope will spend his final day in Lebanon visiting patients at De La Croix Hospital and offering silent prayer at the site of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, an act of compassion for a nation still recovering from tragedy. His journey will conclude with a public Mass at Beirut’s waterfront before returning to Rome.
Pope Leo XIV’s first international mission carries profound symbolic and spiritual meaning. By visiting Türkiye and Lebanon, he highlights the importance of unity among Christians, dialogue with other faiths, and compassion for those enduring suffering. The pilgrimage to the cradle of early Christianity and a nation of enduring faith is expected to set the tone for his papacy one marked by bridge-building, empathy, and renewal.