US EditionPope Leo Takes Message of Peace to Middle East on First Foreign Visit. Here’s What to Know
Pope Leo's visit marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and seeks to promote peace and unity amid Lebanon's crises, with about 36,000 Catholics in Turkey.
- On Thursday, Pope Leo will begin his first trip outside Italy to Turkey and Lebanon to appeal for peace and urge Christian unity during the Nov. 27–Dec. 2 itinerary.
- Earlier this year, Pope Francis died on April 21 and Pope Leo was elected on May 8; Rev. Thomas Reese said, "What we've seen so far is a pope who's very careful when he speaks."
- Ceremonies include a Mass at Volkswagen Arena and a visit to the Blue Mosque; organizers moved the Istanbul Mass to the arena holding around 5,000 due to strong public interest.
- Lebanese leaders say the visit offers solidarity for a country hosting one million refugees, with Leo visiting five towns but avoiding southern Lebanon due to Israeli strikes.
- Amid regional tensions, the Moscow Patriarchate, aligned with Vladimir Putin, is not expected to join anniversary events, while several other Orthodox Christian leaders are still expected despite Israel's strike on Hezbollah on Sunday.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Christians eagerly look to Pope Leo XIV's first trip abroad. She leads to Turkey and Lebanon. What accents does Leo set? Muslims also follow his journey.
Pope Leo takes message of peace to Middle East on first foreign visit. Here’s what to know
By Christopher Lamb, CNN Rome (CNN) — Pope Leo XIV begins a six-day visit to Turkey and Lebanon on Thursday, his first foreign trip since his election and one on which he’s expected to emphasize key themes of his fledgling pontificate – among them dialogue and unity. Overseas trips are an important part of the papacy’s “soft power,” offering an opportunity for the pope to meet political leaders of his host country, address the local Catholic com…
By NICOLE WINFIELD VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV undertook on Thursday his first trip abroad, a pilgrimage to Turkey and Lebanon that would be delicate in any circumstance, but which is even more complicated given the tensions in the Middle East and the media attention that will accompany the first American pope of history on the way. Leon is fulfilling a journey that Pope Francis planned to make, to commemorate an important anniversary with …
By NICOLE WINFIELD VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV undertook on Thursday his first trip abroad, a pilgrimage to Turkey and Lebanon that would be delicate in any circumstance, but which is even more complicated given the tensions in the Middle East and the media attention that will accompany the first American pope of history on the way. Leon is fulfilling a journey that Pope Francis planned to make, to commemorate an important anniversary with …
During his visit, the Pope will try to contribute to the unification of Christian churches and also bring some peace with him.
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