Pope Leo XIV has started his first foreign trip as Pope. The six-day visit to Turkey and Lebanon aims to improve understanding between different religions and unite Christians. The new Pope, who is the first to be born in the Americas, arrived in Ankara on Thursday. His trip focuses on a region with many conflicts, showing that peace will be a major goal for his time as Pope.
His schedule is full of important political and historical moments. After a formal welcome from Turkey's President Erdoğan, the Pope visited the tomb of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. In talks with Turkish leaders, the Pope said the country could be a bridge between cultures. He also warned against a "globalization of indifference" and asked the President to help bring stability to the world.
The most important spiritual event in Turkey happens in the ancient city of Iznik. There, Pope Leo will pray with Patriarch Bartholomew, the leader of the Orthodox Christian Church. Their joint prayer will happen at an important historical site and will be shown live on television. This is a strong sign of their wish to heal the division between the Catholic and Orthodox churches, which split nearly one thousand years ago.
Experts say the Pope's choice of destination is very challenging. By visiting this difficult region, the new Pope is testing his diplomatic skills early in his leadership. The trip presents a powerful picture of the churches working together as a guide in troubled times. After Turkey, the Pope will travel to Lebanon, where recent violence shows how much his message of peace is needed.