Pope Leo XIV is set to undertake the inaugural foreign trip of his papacy, visiting Turkey and Lebanon from November 27 through December 2. This voyage promises to be a deeply significant event, blending history, spirituality, and symbolism.

Realizing a pilgrimage that Pope Francis had hoped to make, Pope Leo will start in Turkey to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. His itinerary features diplomatic meetings, interdenominational prayer in Iznik, a tour of the Blue Mosque, and celebrating the Divine Liturgy alongside Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I for the Feast of St. Andrew.

Next, the Pontiff will head to Lebanon, home to the Arab world’s largest percentage of Christians. Undeterred by regional volatility, he remains committed to the visit. He plans to pray at the scene of the 2020 Beirut port disaster, pay respects at St. Charbel’s tomb, and visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, in addition to meeting the Maronite Patriarch at Bkerké.

Stay tuned as we track Pope Leo XIV’s momentous trip—a mission dedicated to fostering courage, hope, and unity among the region’s Christians.