Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV began his inaugural Apostolic Journey on Thursday morning, departing from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport for a multi-nation pilgrimage aimed at promoting unity, dialogue, and peace across the region. His visit will take him to Türkiye and Lebanon, marking the first international trip of his pontificate.
The papal aircraft, an ITA Airways Airbus A320neo, lifted off at 7:58 AM, carrying the Pope and his delegation toward Ankara. Notably, the cabin partitions of the aircraft were adorned with the image of Our Mother of Good Counsel, a Marian title held in deep reverence by the Augustinian Order. The devotion is tied to the historic shrine in Genazzano, Italy, where the Augustinians have served since the 13th century.
This particular Marian image holds a special significance for Pope Leo XIV. Just two days after his election as Bishop of Rome, he traveled privately to the hill-town of Genazzano to pray before the ancient icon, believed to have originated from Shkodër in Albania. The symbolism of carrying that image on his first international flight underscores the Pope’s desire to root his mission in prayer, discernment, and maternal guidance.
Upon landing in Türkiye, Pope Leo XIV will begin his official engagements in Ankara, with his first stop at the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the modern Republic. The visit signals respect for Türkiye’s national heritage and its role as a bridge between cultures and continents.
From there, the Pope will proceed to the Presidential Palace, where he will be formally welcomed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He is expected to deliver a keynote address to Türkiye’s civil authorities, government representatives, and members of the diplomatic corps, highlighting themes of cooperation, peacebuilding, and protection of human dignity.
Later in the day, the Pope will travel onward to Istanbul, where he will reside at the Apostolic Nunciature for the remainder of his stay in Türkiye. His schedule in the country includes meetings with religious leaders, encounters with local Christian communities, and gestures aimed at strengthening interfaith harmony.
This landmark journey marks the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s diplomatic and pastoral outreach beyond the Vatican walls, and the world is watching closely as he carries a message of reconciliation to lands rich in history, culture, and faith tradition.