Pope Leo XIV Embarks on Historic Trip to Türkiye and Lebanon Amidst Global Crises
ISTANBUL, Türkiye – Pope Leo XIV has begun his first international journey as pontiff, a significant trip to Türkiye and Lebanon intended to foster dialog, seek peace, and offer support to dwindling Christian communities in the region. The visit, commencing today, unfolds against a backdrop of escalating global conflicts and humanitarian concerns, prompting the Pope to likely reiterate appeals for peace and disarmament throughout the journey.
The Pope’s first stop is Iznik, historically known as Nicaea, where he will commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. Convened in May 325 by Roman Emperor Constantine, this council marked a pivotal moment in Christian history, bringing together Christians from the East and West and establishing a foundational theological agreement – the “Credo” – affirming the divinity of Jesus Christ and resolving disputes with the Arian sect. While Pope Sylvester I was unable to attend the original council due to age, sending emissaries in his stead, Leo XIV will personally meet with Orthodox Christians in what is being hailed as a historic ecumenical gesture. Discussions are expected to include the possibility of establishing a unified date for the festivity of easter, though officials acknowledge this remains a distant prospect.
A key component of the Türkiye leg of the trip will be interfaith dialogue, specifically with the Muslim community. Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to become the fourth pontiff to visit a mosque, and the first to visit Istanbul’s Sultan Ahmet Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque, on November 29th. This visit echoes previous gestures by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 and Pope Francis in 2014, both aimed at improving relations with Islam following periods of tension.Benedict XVI’s 2006 visit, following a controversial speech at the University of Regensburg, saw the Pope engage in a moment of prayer facing Mecca, prompting clarification from the Vatican that it was “an internal meditation directed toward God.”
Beyond religious dialogue, Pope Leo XIV will address the precarious situation of Christian communities in Türkiye. With a Christian population now numbering only a few hundred thousand within a total population of 87 million, the Pope will seek assurances from turkish President Erdogan regarding the protection of Catholic and other Christian groups. He will visit the Syriac orthodox Temple of Mor Efrem, the only new church constructed in Türkiye in the last century. The trip acknowledges the past hardships faced by Christians in the region, including the massacres perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against Armenians during World War I.
The second phase of the papal visit will focus on Lebanon, a nation with a historically significant Catholic presence encompassing six distinct communities: Maronite, Latin, Greek Catholic, Syrian Catholic, chaldean, and Armenian Catholic. Though, ongoing diaspora and economic crisis have made accurate population figures challenging to ascertain. Pope Leo XIV aims to bring a message of hope and solidarity to the Lebanese people, who have endured significant suffering in recent years.
