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Pope Leo XIV will begin his first overseas trip on Thursday (Nov. 27), traveling to Türkiye and Lebanon to promote Christian unity and call for peace amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
The six-day visit marks the first major international test for the newly elected US-born pontiff, whose understated style differs sharply from that of his predecessor, Francis.
In Türkiye, Pope Leo will attend the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, where the foundational Christian Creed was written.
His visit has drawn limited attention in the predominantly Muslim country, where Christians make up about 0.2% of the population.
He is scheduled to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara and visit the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
The anniversary commemoration, hosted by Patriarch Bartholomew I, will bring together dignitaries from various Orthodox churches.
The gathering near Lake Iznik is intended to highlight Christian unity before the historical schisms between East and West.
Russian Patriarch Kirill, however, was not invited due to deepened tensions linked to the war in Ukraine.
Anticipation is far higher in Lebanon, where the pope’s visit comes as the country continues to grapple with economic collapse, widespread poverty, the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, and the recent war with Israel.
Lebanon’s ambassador to the Holy See, Fadi Assaf, described the trip as “exceptional,” saying it will spotlight the nation’s challenges as it seeks political and economic relief.
Preparations across Beirut include banners reading “Lebanon wants peace.”
Vincent Gelot of l’Oeuvre d’Orient said the Lebanese are hoping for a strong message to the country’s political elite, though they “know full well that this visit will not solve all their problems.”
During his stay, Pope Leo will visit a Franciscan-run psychiatric hospital, meet with Lebanese youth, celebrate an open-air mass expected to draw around 100,000 attendees, and hold an interreligious meeting in downtown Beirut.
He will also pray at the site of the Beirut port explosion, which killed more than 220 people.
The visit is also positioned as an effort to deepen dialogue with Islam, continuing the longstanding Vatican engagement in the region.
The pope will aim to navigate sensitive dynamics between Orthodox patriarchates, particularly given Moscow’s concerns over the Vatican's ties with Constantinople.
Pope Leo XIV, who was elected in May, will attempt to balance calls for unity with the geopolitical realities of a region facing war, economic strain, and religious tension.
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