The trip will include ecumenical meetings, interreligious events and tributes in historical places.
He Pope Leo XIV will undertake his first international trip since he was elected last May, on a tour that will take him through eight cities in Türkiye and Lebanontwo key countries for religious dialogue and regional stability. The Vatican confirmed that the pontiff will be in Türkiye from November 27 to 30 and in Lebanon November 30 to December 2.
He will be the first American pope to lead a visit of this type and the first to resume an itinerary that had been left pending after the death of the Pope Franciswho could not make his trip for health reasons. Francisco died on April 21and León was elected weeks later, the May 8by the college of cardinals.
International travel has become a pillar of the modern papacy, and a new pontiff’s first tour often sets the tone for his administration. In this case, Leo XIV’s message clearly points to religious reconciliation and peace in the Middle Easttwo issues that his predecessor had prioritized during his 12 years of pontificate and 47 trips abroad.
So much Türkiye as Lebanon They are Muslim-majority countries, but with active Christian communities. The new pope seeks to reinforce the legacy of Francis in matters of interreligious dialoguewhile sending a political signal of rapprochement in a region crossed by historical conflicts and tensions.
Historic meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew
One of the central moments of the tour will be meeting with Patriarch Bartholomewspiritual leader of the 260 million Orthodox Christians of the world. Both will share an ecumenical ceremony in Iznik (ancient Nicaea), where the 1,700 years since the First Council of Nicaeacelebrated in the year 325 under the emperor Constantine I.
The reverend John ChryssavgisBartolomé’s advisor, highlighted the symbolic value of the meeting. “It is deeply symbolic that Pope Leo visits the patriarch on his first official trip,” he said in dialogue with Reuters.
In addition, Leo XIV will meet with the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankarawill visit the Blue Mosque from Istanbul and will officiate a mass at the Volkswagen Arenaone of the largest stages in the city.
A busy agenda in Lebanon
After his visit to Türkiye, the Pope will travel to Beirutwhere the president will receive him Joseph Aounwho in June had personally delivered the official invitation to the Vatican.
The itinerary on Lebanese soil will include a open air mass facing the seaa interreligious meeting with leaders of different faiths and a visit to the Beirut portepicenter of the explosion of 2020where he will pray for the victims of the disaster.
The motto chosen for the visit to Lebanon will be “Blessed are those who work for peace”a phrase that reflects the spirit with which Leo XIV seeks to begin his pontificate.
Source: Ambito
