In his first official trip abroad, Pope Leo XIV's is due to visit Lebanon and Turkey on a trip.
Pope Leo, who succeeded the late Pope Francis in May, will arrive in Turkey on November 27. He will visit Ankara, Istanbul and the town of Iznik – once known as Nicaea and the site of an ancient Christian council.
He will fly to Lebanon on November 30. After meeting politicians and religious leaders, he will end his trip on December 2 by visiting the site of the 2020 Beirut blast and holding a Mass on the city's waterfront.
Here are some details of the Pope's visit:
November 27
Pope Leo flies from Rome to Ankara, where he meets Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other officials.
He also visits the mausoleum where the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, is buried.
That evening, he flies to Istanbul.
November 28
After meeting clergymen at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Istanbul, Pope Leo flies by helicopter to Iznik.
A prayer service takes place near an archaeological excavation site in the town, which is marking 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea settled key aspects of Christian doctrine.
Pope Leo then returns to Istanbul for meetings with bishops.
The Pope will pray near archaeolo
Continue Reading on The National UAE
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.