By Charles Igwe
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will embark on his first international trip later this year, visiting Turkey from November 27 to 30 and Lebanon from November 30 to December 2.
The Holy See Press Office, led by Matteo Bruni, said the pope accepted invitations from both state and ecclesiastical authorities in Turkey and Lebanon. In Turkey, Pope Leo will journey to İznik (ancient Nicaea) to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, and plans include a pilgrimage with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
In Lebanon, details of the itinerary are still being finalized, but church leaders expect the visit to bring a message of peace and solidarity in a country facing political, economic, and social challenges. The Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon expressed gratitude and hope that Pope Leo’s visit will renew hope for unity among Lebanon’s Christian and Muslim communities.
The trip is widely seen as symbolic: it continues the intention of his predecessor to visit both countries, reinforces the Vatican’s role in ecumenical dialogue, and places emphasis on the plight of Christians in the Middle East.
Observers note that this journey will set an early tone for Pope Leo XIV’s global engagement, particularly around themes of peace, interfaith relations, and the support of Christian communities in regions beset by conflict.
