The Holy See Press Office announced Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV will travel to Turkey and Lebanon at the end of November 2025.
According to a statement, the Pope accepted invitations from both countries’ civil and ecclesiastical authorities. He will visit Turkey from Nov. 27 to 30, making a pilgrimage to İznik — the ancient city of Nicaea — to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, Christianity’s first ecumenical council held in 325 A.D. Immediately afterward, he will continue to Lebanon from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 for a pastoral visit.
The Nicaea anniversary carries deep ecumenical weight. Convened centuries before the East–West Schism, the council produced the Nicene Creed, a profession of faith still recited by Catholics and Orthodox alike. The pilgrimage is expected to underline the Pope’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Catholic–Orthodox unity and highlight the shared theological roots of Christianity’s divided traditions.
Beyond its historical symbolism, the trip will draw attention to Christian–Muslim dialogue in two countries marked by both coexistence and tension. Turkey and Lebanon host ancient Christian communities that have faced pressure from rising Islamist radicalism and political instability in recent years.
Vatican News reported Oct. 7 that Pope Leo told journalists that his visit to Turkey “is motivated by the anniversary of the 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea. I believe it’s a truly important moment. It’s a journey Pope Francis wanted to make.”
“For all Christians, it will be a moment of genuine unity in faith,” he added. “We must not miss this historic opportunity. But it’s not about looking back — it’s about looking forward.”
Regarding the Lebanon visit, Pope Leo said he “will have the opportunity to once again proclaim the message of peace in the Middle East, in a country that has suffered so much.”
The late Pope Francis had also wanted to visit Lebanon, he added, according to Vatican News.
“He wanted to embrace the people of Lebanon after the explosion, after everything they’ve endured,” Pope Leo said. “We will try to bring this message of peace and hope.”
According to the press office, further details of the itinerary “will be announced in due course.”