Pope Leo's First Overseas Trip — Türkiye and Lebanon Visit Announced

Vatican City, 26 November 2025 — Pope Leo XIV will undertake his first apostolic journey outside Italy from 27 November to 2 December 2025, travelling to Türkiye and Lebanon with a schedule that includes meetings with civil and religious authorities, visits to mosques and historic churches, an ecumenical commemoration of the 1,700-year anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, and prayers in Beirut for victims of the 2020 port explosion. 

The Holy See’s press office emphasised that the pilgrimage carries a strong ecumenical and inter-religious dimension, signalling a commitment to dialogue and unity among Christian communities and other faiths across the region. 

Pope Leo’s itinerary includes visits to Ankara, Istanbul and the ancient city of İznik (formerly Nicaea), where he will commemorate the Council of Nicaea — a milestone in Christian history — before proceeding to Lebanon to meet civil and ecclesial leaders, and to stand in solidarity with communities affected by past crises. 

In a region marked by political and social challenges, the journey is expected to offer a message of peace, hope and unity — underlining the Church’s mission to support vulnerable communities and foster reconciliation.

Source and Image Credits : Vatican News