Pope Leo XIV Travels to Lebanon for Second Leg of Apostolic Journey

Lebanon, November 30, 2025: The aircraft carrying Pope Leo XIV has departed for Beirut, marking the start of the second leg of his apostolic journey to Türkiye and Lebanon.

Just after 3 p.m. local time, the Ita Airways Airbus A320neo carrying the Pope took off from Istanbul–Atatürk International Airport, bound for Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. Pope Leo will remain in the country until Tuesday, 2 December, as he continues the first apostolic journey of his pontificate.

Four-Day Visit to Türkiye Concludes

The departure from Istanbul brings to a close the Pope’s four-day visit to Türkiye. Among the key moments of this leg of the journey was his commemoration, alongside Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and leaders and representatives of Christian Churches worldwide, of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea, near modern-day Iznik.

During these days, Pope Leo repeatedly called for overcoming the “scandal of divisions” and urged efforts to foster “unity.”

Warm Welcome Awaiting in Lebanon

Upon his arrival at Beirut airport, Pope Leo is set to be welcomed in a brief ceremony. The greeting will be led by the Apostolic Nuncio and the Head of Protocol of Lebanon, honouring the memory of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, assassinated along with his security team in an attack on 14 February 2005.

The Pope’s visit to Lebanon marks a significant moment in his apostolic journey, as he prepares to meet civil authorities, religious leaders, and communities facing ongoing social and political challenges.

Courtesy: Vatican News

Download Catholic Connect App for Daily News Updates: 

Android: Click here to download

iOS: Click here to download