Vatican City: As Pope Leo XIV prepares for his upcoming visits to Türkiye and Lebanon, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin underscores the deep importance of this first Apostolic Journey of the pontificate. He describes the mission as a powerful gesture of hope for Christian communities and a moment that strengthens both ecumenical and interreligious bonds across the Middle East.
Both nations are preparing warmly for the Pope’s arrival, ready to welcome him with expectations of spiritual renewal. The visit centres on encouragement, encounter, and strengthening the Christian presence in regions long marked by conflict and hardship. For countless believers Catholics and members of other local communities his presence brings consolation, courage, and a reminder that their suffering has not gone unnoticed by the universal Church.
The journey is guided by two mottos: “One Lord, one faith, one baptism” for Türkiye and “Blessed are the peacemakers” for Lebanon. Together, they point to the heart of the mission unity, fraternity, and the healing power of peace.
A key moment of the Pope’s time in Türkiye will be the ecumenical commemoration of the Council of Nicaea’s 1,700th anniversary. Cardinal Parolin highlights its lasting significance: the Council defined the central truth of Christianity that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human.
This milestone recalls the early centuries of the Church, shaped in lands where the Gospel first took root and where the foundational councils were held. The Pope’s participation, he says, shines a renewed light on the shared faith that still unites Christians despite longstanding divisions.
While ecumenism is a major theme, the visit also carries an important interreligious dimension. The Pope’s planned stop at the Blue Mosque is presented as a symbol of mutual respect between Christians and Muslims. Cardinal Parolin notes that 60 years after Nostra Aetate, the Church continues to emphasize friendship, common values, and a shared commitment to peace.
In a world threatened by extremism, the Cardinal stresses that genuine prayer never leads to violence, and that believers must work together to build more just and humane societies.
Turning to Lebanon, Cardinal Parolin explains that the Pope will carry above all a message of hope and perseverance. Though the nation has recently shown signs of political and economic recovery, its people continue to face heavy challenges.
The silent prayer at Beirut’s port five years after the devastating explosion will be a touching moment of remembrance and compassion. The Cardinal reiterates the Holy See’s longstanding closeness to Lebanon, a country often described as “a message” because of its model of coexistence among diverse religions and cultures.
Reflecting on the history of modern papal travel, Cardinal Parolin explains that these journeys are an essential part of the Pope’s mission: to strengthen the faithful and to foster unity in the global Church. Through these visits, the Pope brings the Church directly to people’s lives, cultures, and struggles embodying what Pope Francis called “a Church that goes forth.”
Christians have long played a vital role in the Middle East, contributing spiritually, culturally, and socially. Yet, as the Cardinal warns, their numbers continue to decline, a trend that deeply concerns the Holy See. The visit aims to affirm their rightful place in their homelands and encourage their continued witness of moderation and dialogue.
Finally, Cardinal Parolin reflects on the broader diplomatic meaning of the journey. The Pope, he says, travels like a sower scattering seeds of dialogue, peace-building, and human fraternity even if the fruits may take time to appear.
At a moment when parts of Europe and the Middle East are scarred by conflict, displacement, and division, the Pope’s voice calls people away from confrontation and toward collaboration for the common good. By proclaiming Gospel values “in season and out of season,” the Church hopes to nurture new paths where peace, mutual understanding, and shared humanity can flourish.