Pope Leo XIV to Make His First International Trip, Continuing Pope Francis’ Unfinished Journey
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Pope Leo XIV to Make His First International Trip, Continuing Pope Francis’ Unfinished Journey

Four months after assuming leadership of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV is set to embark on his first international visit, beginning with a historic trip to Turkey and Lebanon this November, a journey originally planned by Pope Francis before his passing.

According to the Vatican Annauncement, Pope Leo XIV will visit Turkey from 27th to 30th November, 2025, before continuing to Lebanon from 30th November to 2nd December. The visit is seen as a continuation of Pope Francis’ vision to strengthen interfaith dialogue and promote peace in a region long marked by religious and political tensions.

The Pope’s visit to these predominantly Muslim nations aims to foster unity between Christianity and Islam, highlighting the Church’s commitment to mutual respect and coexistence among faith communities.

During his stay, Pope Leo XIV is expected to address ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, particularly the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and express solidarity with Christians who continue to suffer amid violence and displacement.

The last papal visit to Lebanon took place in 2012, when Pope Benedict XVI traveled there to deliver a message of hope and reconciliation. Lebanon remains one of the few Arab countries with a significant Christian population roughly one third of its citizens and a Christian president, reflecting its unique religious diversity.

In Turkey, Pope Leo XIV is also scheduled to visit the ancient city of Iznik (Nicaea), where the Council of Nicaea was held nearly 1,700 years ago. That historic gathering helped define key aspects of Christian doctrine, including the understanding of Jesus Christ’s divine nature and the establishment of foundational Church teachings.

The upcoming journey marks a significant moment in Pope Leo XIV’s papacy, as he follows in the footsteps of his predecessors while reaffirming the Church’s mission to promote peace, dialogue, and compassion across faiths.

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