Pope Leo XIV has commenced his inaugural international trip as pontiff, arriving in Turkey to commemorate a significant Christian anniversary before traveling to Lebanon following recent Israeli airstrikes on Beirut. In Ankara, he emphasized the theme of unity, stating, “all men, women can truly be brothers and sisters, in spite of differences, in spite of different religions, in spite of different beliefs.”
This trip includes a visit to Iznik, the historical site of Nicaea, where a council convened 1,700 years ago and established crucial doctrines, including the affirmation that Jesus is the son of God, leading to the formation of the Nicene Creed. Despite the historical split between Eastern and Western Christianity, the Pope aims to promote messages of togetherness and healing during this visit.
The Pope’s itinerary also includes a stop at the Blue Mosque, mirroring the gestures of his predecessors, and meetings with religious leaders to foster inter-religious dialogue. Plans for the Pope’s visit to Lebanon remain unchanged despite recent tensions in the region. In Lebanon, he is expected to engage with faith leaders and youth, offering support to the significant Christian population there.
On the final day of his trip, Pope Leo will celebrate Mass at the Beirut waterfront, honoring the victims of the 2020 port explosion. Throughout his papacy, he has addressed issues such as the dignity of migrants, maintaining a cautious approach compared to his predecessor. His handling of both progressive and traditional views within the Catholic Church has garnered attention, leading to perceptions of him as a unifier.
During the trip, he may address regional conflicts in meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Lebanese civic leaders. A press conference with the traveling press is customary at the end of such trips, where he may share insights from his visit. For this journey, Pope Leo plans to deliver his addresses primarily in English, along with some French, marking a departure from his mostly Italian public speaking thus far.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5g3076lqzo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss