Pope Leo XIV Begins First Foreign Trip to Turkey and Lebanon, Calls for Peace, Christian Unity

Pope Leo XIV Begins First Foreign Trip to Turkey and Lebanon, Calls for Peace, Christian Unity
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Pope Leo XIV arrived in Ankara on November 27, 2025, launching his first apostolic journey outside Italy since his election in May.

In his opening remarks in Ankara, Pope Leo warned that the world is witnessing “a worrying number of armed conflicts,” and said that humanity’s future is at risk unless global efforts for justice and peace prevail.

During the trip — which will also take him to Istanbul, the historic town of Iznik (formerly Nicaea), and later to Lebanon — the pontiff is expected to meet with political and religious leaders, fostering Christian unity and emphasizing interfaith dialogue, as reported by Reuters.

At a key event in Iznik, Pope Leo condemned violence in the name of religion and called on Christian leaders from across the Middle East to overcome centuries of division.

Lebanon, the second leg of his 27-November to 2-December trip, holds special significance amid economic crisis and regional instability. The visit aims to reaffirm support for Middle Eastern Christians and advocate for peace and solidarity among communities.

Observers say the selection of Turkey and Lebanon as destinations — two Muslim-majority countries with significant Christian populations and historical Christian heritage — is highly symbolic. It underscores the Vatican’s commitment to interfaith cooperation and hope for reconciliation in a turbulent region.