Pope Leo XIV has announced his first apostolic journey outside Italy, which will take place from November 27 to December 2, 2025. The Holy See has confirmed that the Pontiff will visit Turkey and Lebanon, responding to invitations from the civil and ecclesiastical authorities of both countries. The director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, explained that the trip will be divided into two stages:

*  Turkey (November 27–30): The Pope will make a pilgrimage to İznik, the ancient city of Nicaea, to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, a key event in Church history that defined the foundations of the Christian faith.

*  Lebanon (November 30 – December 2):  The Pontiff wishes to express his closeness to the Lebanese people and the Christian communities of the Middle East, in a context marked by social, economic, and religious challenges.

This trip has profound symbolic and pastoral significance. In Turkey, Leo XIV seeks to strengthen ecumenical dialogue with the Orthodox Church, especially with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, following Pope Francis’ expressed desire to commemorate the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea together with the leaders of the Eastern Churches. In Lebanon, the Pontiff seeks to offer comfort and renew the Church’s commitment to a country that, despite the crises, remains a beacon of coexistence for the entire region.

The detailed itinerary of the apostolic journey will be published in due course by the Holy See.