Pope Leo XIV has started his first official trip abroad as Pope. The six-day visit to Turkey and Lebanon is focused on improving understanding between different religions and uniting Christians. The new Pope, who is the first to be born in the Americas, arrived in Ankara on Thursday. He immediately entered a complex political situation. His travel plans show a clear goal for his leadership: to build connections in a region with many conflicts. He is directly addressing what he calls a "third world war fought piecemeal."
The Pope's schedule is politically sensitive and full of historical meaning. After a formal welcome from Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Pope Leo visited the tomb of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. This act highlighted his message of peace to the modern Turkish state. In talks with Turkish leaders, he stressed that the country could act as a cultural bridge. He also warned against a "globalization of indifference," where people stop caring about others' suffering. He urged President Erdoğan to "act as a source of stability" while the world faces many tensions. The Pope stated that "the future of humanity is at stake," presenting his visit as an effort to reduce international conflict.
The most important spiritual event in Turkey happens today in the ancient city of Iznik. There, Pope Leo will pray together with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the leader of Orthodox Christianity. This shared prayer will be broadcast live from an archaeological site. It marks the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, a major meeting of bishops in 325 AD that created an important Christian statement of belief. Their joint prayer in this symbolic location is a powerful step toward healing the split between the Eastern and Western churches that happened in 1054.
Experts say the Pope's choice of destination was unexpected. Instead of visiting the U.S. or Peru, he chose a difficult trip planned by the previous Pope. By traveling to a "war-torn and deeply divided zone," Pope Leo is testing his diplomatic skills very early in his papacy. The visit creates a strong picture of the Catholic and Orthodox churches working together as a "spiritual compass in turbulent times." After his time in Turkey, the Pope will go to Lebanon, where recent violence shows how urgently his message of peace is needed.