Pope Leo will embark on a trip to Turkey and Lebanon at the end of November, as announced by the Vatican on Tuesday. This marks the first international visit by the new leader of the global Catholic Church, which comprises 1.4 billion members.
The first US pope, Leo, will visit Turkey from November 27-30, followed by a trip to Lebanon from November 30 to December 2. During his visit, he plans to address the challenges faced by Christians in the Middle East and advocate for peace throughout the region.
Pope Leo was elected by the Catholic cardinals worldwide on May 8, succeeding the late Pope Francis, who had intended to visit both nations but was unable due to health concerns.
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In Turkey, the pope is anticipated to meet Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of 260 million Orthodox Christians globally, to celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of an early Church council held in Nicaea, now Iznik.
“It is profoundly symbolic that Pope Leo … will visit (the patriarch) on his first official journey,” Rev. John Chryssavgis, an advisor to Bartholomew, told Reuters.
“Pope Leo is undoubtedly striving to express and affirm his Christian identity in a diverse world where people of all faiths and races are encouraged to coexist harmoniously,” said the priest.
International travel has become a significant aspect of the modern papacy, allowing popes to connect with local Catholics, promote the faith, and engage in global diplomacy.
A new pope’s initial travels often signify the issues they aim to prioritize during their leadership.
Leo’s visit to Turkey had been anticipated for months, but the additional stop in Lebanon was only finalized in recent discussions.
Vatican officials note that the pope intends to call for peace and remember the 2020 Beirut port explosion, which killed 200 people and caused extensive damage.
