• Pope Leo XIV begins his first international trip, visiting Türkiye and Lebanon.
• The trip marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.
• Papal visits aim to promote peace and unity among Christian denominations.
• Pope Leo will address political leaders and meet with religious figures.
• Concerns about safety in the region are heightened due to ongoing conflicts.

Pope Leo XIV is set to embark on his first international trip as pope, starting with Türkiye from November 27 to 30. His itinerary includes visits to Ankara, Istanbul, and the historic city of Iznik, where he will commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, a significant event that established the Nicene Creed, a core declaration of Christian belief. The trip comes at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, highlighting the importance of bilateral relations between Türkiye and the Vatican, as well as addressing regional issues such as the situation in Palestine, as noted by Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni and the Turkish Presidential Communications Directorate according to aa and reuters.

During his three-day stay in Türkiye, Pope Leo is expected to make significant appeals for peace in the Middle East and urge unity among long-divided Christian churches. The choice of Türkiye as his first overseas destination reflects a conscious decision to engage with Muslim-majority countries, further underscoring his desire to bridge divides within Christianity. "It's a very important trip because we do not know much yet about Leo's geopolitical views," remarked Massimo Faggioli, an academic who closely follows Vatican affairs, as reported by reuters and bbc.

Pope Leo's visit to Turkey will specifically include a meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Church, as well as visiting the Blue Mosque, in a gesture aimed at fostering interfaith dialogue and reconciliation. Historically, such engagements aim to heal the divisions that have existed since the East-West Schism of 1054. "The first pontiff from the United States has chosen Türkiye as his first overseas destination," and anticipates encouraging dialogues about unity alongside the rich historical context of his visits, according to aljazeera and latimes.

Following his engagements in Türkiye, Pope Leo will travel to Lebanon, where significant challenges persist, including ongoing conflicts and economic instability. His visit is perceived as a bold message of solidarity with Christians in the region, who constitute about 30% of the population. Observers anticipate that his discussions with Lebanese leaders and citizens will address the pressing humanitarian crises exacerbated by continuous violence and forced displacement of communities, reflecting the fears and hopes of a conflict-ridden populace in search of peace, as highlighted by reports from latimes and bbc.