By Salvatore Cernuzio
The Holy See Press Office Director, Matteo Bruni, has presented Pope Leo XIV’s first apostolic journey, which will take him to Ankara, Istanbul, and Beirut, with a significant stop in İznik—ancient Nicaea—for the 1700th anniversary of the Council. The pilgrimage carries a strong ecumenical character and places interreligious dialogue at its centre. It will also be a moment of closeness to Christian communities and local populations across the region. Bruni confirmed that “all necessary security measures have been taken.”
The six-day visit will take place from Thursday, 27 November to Tuesday, 2 December 2025.
A demanding visit to two key countries
Bruni described the upcoming trip as “a demanding journey in two significant countries.” Türkiye, homeland of St Paul and a crossroads of early Christianity, and Lebanon, a land marked by coexistence yet severely affected by economic crisis, the port explosion, and recent violence in the south.
During nearly a week in the region, Pope Leo XIV will meet civil and religious authorities, visit mosques and ancient churches, pray at Beirut’s port in memory of the victims of the 2020 explosion, and hold private meetings with Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Joseph Aoun. Bruni noted that the Pope follows “in the footsteps of his predecessors,” from St Paul VI to John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis, who had hoped to return to Türkiye for the anniversary of Nicaea.
Ecumenical focus and support for youth
“The ecumenical dimension is at the heart of this journey,” Bruni said, recalling that Christians of many traditions recognise the Council of Nicaea as a foundation of shared faith. Pope Leo XIV will also show support for small Catholic communities facing emigration and instability, including the many Lebanese Christians living abroad.
One of the most anticipated moments will be the Pope’s encounter with Lebanese youth in Bkerké, at the Maronite Patriarchate, a meeting expected to carry strong messages of hope in the Jubilee Year.
At Nicaea: a historic commemoration
A central event will be the ecumenical celebration in İznik, where the Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will walk together toward the ruins of the Basilica of St Neophytos. The prayer, held before icons of Christ and the Council, will conclude with the lighting of a candle—a symbolic gesture of unity.
Interreligious dialogue
The journey will also highlight interreligious engagement. On 27 November, the Pope will visit the Diyanet, Türkiye’s Presidency of Religious Affairs; meet the Chief Rabbi of Türkiye; and hold a private encounter in Beirut with Muslim and Druze leaders.
Memorable moments are expected throughout the trip: a wreath at Atatürk’s mausoleum, prayer inside the Blue Mosque, Mass at Istanbul’s Volkswagen Arena, the planting of a cedar at the presidential palace in Beirut, and prayer at the tomb of St Charbel and before the statue of Our Lady of Lebanon.
A journey in service of peace
Cardinals Kurt Koch, George Koovakad, and Claudio Gugerotti will accompany the Pope, who will speak primarily in English for institutional events and in French for liturgies. As customary, a press conference with journalists is planned on the return flight.
Pope Leo XIV’s pilgrimage to Türkiye and Lebanon aims to offer a voice of peace, unity, and hope at the heart of the Middle East.
