Beirut: Pope Leo XIV has left Türkiye and is now en route to Lebanon, marking the beginning of the second phase of his historic apostolic journey to the two Middle Eastern nations.
At 3:00 p.m. local time, an ITA Airways Airbus A320neo carrying the Pope lifted off from Istanbul–Atatürk International Airport, heading toward Beirut, where he will remain until Tuesday, 2 December, for an intensive schedule of meetings, prayer services, and encounters with political and religious leaders.
The departure from Istanbul brings to a close a four-day pilgrimage that saw Pope Leo participate in commemorations, ecumenical gatherings, and liturgical celebrations of profound historical significance.
A central highlight of the Türkiye visit was the solemn commemoration together with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and Christian leaders from across the world of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, held in 325 AD in what is now İznik.
During the commemoration, Pope Leo issued a renewed appeal for Christian unity, urging Churches to rise above “the scandal of divisions” and work courageously to strengthen the bonds that unite them.
The Pope’s days in Türkiye also included prayer events, meetings with Patriarchs and representatives of Eastern Christian communities, and reflections on themes such as peace, ecology, and interreligious coexistence.
Upon landing at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport, named in honor of the former Lebanese Prime Minister assassinated along with members of his security team on 14 February 2005, Pope Leo XIV will be greeted by the Apostolic Nuncio and the Head of Protocol of the Lebanese government.
Lebanon marks the next major stop in the Pope’s first apostolic journey, a visit expected to focus on solidarity with the region’s Christian communities, support for Lebanon’s social and political stability, and encouragement for peace in a nation marked by long-standing challenges.