Pope Leo XIV will travel to Türkiye and Lebanon from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2, 2025, in his first visit outside Italy.
According to Vatican News, the Pope's trip will begin in Ankara, Türkiye's capital, where he will meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and address government officials and civil society representatives.
He will then travel to Istanbul.
In Türkiye, the Pope’s program includes meetings with bishops and pastoral workers.
He will travel to Iznik to take part in a prayer service near the archaeological remains of the Basilica of Saint Neophytos.
While in Istanbul, Pope Leo will also visit the Blue Mosque.
He is also expected to meet Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew, with whom he will sign a joint declaration. The day will conclude with a public Mass at Istanbul’s Volkswagen Arena.
In Beirut, Pope Leo will meet Lebanon’s political leaders and address authorities and representatives of civil society. (AA)
NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.
