November 27, 2025 marks an important date in the history of the modern papacy. Leo XIVThe new pontiff has just set foot on Turkish soil for his very first apostolic journey abroad. This choice is far from insignificant: Türkiye and the Lebanon, its two destinations, represent lands steeped in Christian history, diplomatic challenges and hopes for reconciliation between peoples.
This multi-day journey will lead the pope through five emblematic locations, each carrying a profound meaning. From the mausoleum of the founder of the Türkiye modern to the ruins of a basilica submerged beneath the waters of a lake, passing by one of the most majestic mosques in the Muslim world and the still painful ruins of the port of Beirut, Leo XIV traces a route that blends homage to the past, interreligious dialogue and compassion for the victims of contemporary tragedies.
But why is this journey so important? What makes these destinations so symbolic? And what can we expect from these encounters at the crossroads of civilizations? Let's delve together into the behind-the-scenes story of this exceptional apostolic journey.
Turkey: Between Secular Heritage and Millennia-Old Christian Roots
Ankara and the Atatürk mausoleum: an essential diplomatic gesture
When we think of the Türkiye, we often imagine Istanbul, its mosques and its shimmering Bosphorus. Yet it is in Ankara, the administrative capital, that the journey begins Leo XIVAnd his first stop is highly symbolic: the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
You might be wondering why a pope Would he go to pay homage to the founder of a secular republic? That is precisely where the diplomatic subtlety of this gesture lies. TürkiyeA visit to Atatürk's mausoleum is an essential part of protocol for any head of state on an official visit. It is a mark of respect for the Turkish nation and its modern history.
Benedict XVI did it in 2006. Francis did it in 2014. Leo XIV It therefore perpetuates a well-established tradition, showing that the Catholic Church knows how to recognize and respect the institutions of the countries it visits, even when these have a decidedly secular character.
The mausoleum itself is impressive. Perched atop Anıttepe Hill, its imposing mass dominates the city of Ankara. The architectural complex covers 120,000 square meters and is flanked by 44 majestic columns. To access it, the pope will have to take the Avenue of the Lions, a 260-meter passage lined with 24 lion statues inspired by Hittite art, those ancient peoples who populated Anatolia long before the arrival of the Turks.
This avenue is more than just a ceremonial path. It tells a story, the story of a nation that claims deep roots in this land, far beyond the arrival of Islam. The Hittites, a brilliant civilization of antiquity, are one of the many peoples who shaped Anatolia, and the Türkiye Modern people like to remind us of this historical continuity.
Crossing the courtyard, which is covered in travertine and features patterns from 380 traditional carpets, Leo XIV will then enter the mausoleum itself to lay a wreath of flowers on the marble tomb of the "Father of the Türkiye This seemingly simple gesture carries a powerful message: the Catholic Church respects the sovereignty of nations and their right to define their own identity, even when that identity has been built in part on a strict separation between religion and state.
Iznik and the remains of the First Council: a return to the roots of Christianity
The day after his arrival, Leo XIV will leave Istanbul by helicopter to get to Iznik. This name may not mean anything to you, but its former name should ring a bell: Nicaea.
Nicaea. It was here, exactly 1,700 years ago, in the year 325, that the first ecumenical council in the history of the ChristianityA foundational event, convened by Emperor Constantine, which brought together bishops from across the Roman Empire to decide crucial theological questions and lay the foundations for what the Church would be for centuries to come.
The Nicene Creed, the profession of faith still recited today by hundreds of millions of Christians around the world, was formulated here, in this small town which today has barely 43,000 inhabitants. This speaks volumes about the historical importance of this place for the Christianity global.
Unfortunately, no visible traces remain of the exact location where this council took place. Centuries, invasions, earthquakes, and reconstructions have erased the vestiges of this historic assembly. For a long time, Christian pilgrims who came to Iznik had to be content with imagining what had happened there, without being able to touch a single stone that bore witness to the event.
Then, in 2014, an extraordinary discovery rekindled all hopes. The receding waters of Lake Iznik revealed the foundations of an ancient, submerged basilica. Archaeologists rushed to the site, perhaps dreaming they had finally found the location of the first council. However, the excavations revealed a different, but equally fascinating, reality.
Coins bearing the likenesses of Emperors Valens and Valentinian I have allowed archaeologists to date the construction of this basilica to the 5th century, approximately a century after the council. Archaeologist Mustafa Şahin then put forward a captivating hypothesis: that this basilica was erected in honor of Saint Neophytus, a young Christian monk of the 4th century.
The story of Neophyte is poignant. This young man had chosen to live as a hermit in a cave near the lake, dedicating his life to prayer and meditation. When the Roman authorities ordered him to offer a sacrifice to the pagan gods, he refused. His refusal cost him his life: he was martyred on the very shores of the lake that, centuries later, would engulf the basilica built in his memory.
It is near these archaeological remains that Leo XIV will participate in an ecumenical prayer meeting. The choice of this location is not insignificant. By going to the site of a basilica dedicated to a Christian martyr, in the heart of a city where Christian orthodoxy was defined, the pope sends a strong message about the importance ofunity of Christians and on the common roots that unite Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants.
This ecumenical dimension is all the more significant given that the Türkiye It is home to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the highest in rank among the Orthodox Churches. The dialogue between Rome and Constantinople, which began decades ago, finds new impetus here, on a land that has witnessed so many fundamental theological convergences.
Istanbul and the Blue Mosque: the art of interreligious dialogue
On the third day of his Turkish stay, Leo XIV will visit a place that alone embodies the complexity and richness of Istanbul's history: the Sultan-Ahmet Mosque, known worldwide as the "Blue Mosque".
Why "blue"? Look up at its interior walls and you'll immediately understand. More than 20,000 Iznik ceramic tiles, in shades of blue ranging from turquoise to cobalt, cover the interior of the building, creating an atmosphere of serenity and beauty that takes the breath away from all visitors.
The mosque was built between 1609 and 1616 on the orders of Sultan Ahmed I. Its objective was clear and ambitious: to rival Hagia Sophia, the Byzantine basilica erected in the 6th century that stands directly opposite. This architectural competition across the centuries testifies to how the different civilizations that have reigned over Istanbul sought to leave their spiritual mark on the city.
The Blue Mosque's design is partly inspired by that of Hagia Sophia, with its large central dome that seems to float above the prayer space. Two hundred stained-glass windows pierce the walls, letting in natural light that plays with the bluish reflections of the ceramics, creating an almost surreal atmosphere.
The building has six minarets, a feature that caused a scandal at the time of its construction. Only the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Islam's holiest site, had as many minarets then. This architectural audacity was perceived by some as a form of arrogance, even blasphemy. The controversy was ultimately resolved pragmatically: a seventh minaret was added to the Grand Mosque in Mecca, thus restoring its symbolic preeminence.
For Leo XIVThe visit to the Blue Mosque is part of a now well-established papal tradition. John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis preceded him within these walls. The image of Francis praying silently alongside the Grand Mufti of Istanbul in 2014 remains etched in memory as a powerful symbol of interreligious dialogue.
This dialogue between Christianity And Islam takes on a particular resonance in the current geopolitical context. TürkiyeA country with a Muslim majority but a constitutionally secular constitution, a member of NATO and a long-standing candidate for the European Union, occupies a pivotal position between East and West. The visit of pope in one of the highest places of Turkish Islam sends a message of openness and mutual respect, indispensable in a world where religious tensions can so easily degenerate into conflict.
But be careful, this is not for the pope to downplay theological differences or to claim that all religions are equal. interreligious dialogue, The Catholic Church's understanding of Christianity rests on respect for others in their differences, on seeking what unites rather than what divides, and on the conviction that believers from different traditions can work together to... peace and justice without denying their own faith.
Upon entering the Blue Mosque, Leo XIV He therefore takes an act that is both humble and courageous. Humble, because he recognizes the beauty and spiritual depth of a tradition different from his own. Courageous, because he affirms that dialogue is possible, necessary, and that it in no way constitutes a betrayal of his own convictions.
Lebanon: a land of contrasts between holiness and suffering
The Monastery of Saint Maroun in Annaya: In the Footsteps of Saint Charbel
After the Türkiye, Leo XIV will fly to the Lebanon, this small Mediterranean country often described as a microcosm of all the complexities of the Middle East. His first Lebanese destination will be the Monastery of Saint Maroun in Annaya, perched in the mountains about fifty kilometers northeast of Beirut.
To understand the importance of this place, one must first know the history of the Maronite Christians. This community, one of the oldest in the Christianity Eastern, takes its name from Saint Maron, a 4th century Syrian hermit whose disciples founded a Church that gradually established itself in the Lebanese mountains.
Today, the Maronites constitute the largest Christian community in Lebanon and play a central political role in this country where the confessional system distributes power among the different religious communities. The President of the Lebanese Republic is traditionally a Maronite Christian, which testifies to the historical importance of this community in the construction of the Lebanese nation.
The Monastery of Saint Maroun in Annaya is one of the high places of Maronite spirituality, and this is largely due to one man: Saint Charbel Makhlouf. Born in 1828 into a peasant family in North Lebanon, Youssef Antoun Makhlouf (his birth name) entered the monastery at the age of 23 and took the name Charbel in homage to a Christian martyr of Antioch.
Charbel's life is a model of asceticism and devotion. For nearly twenty-three years, he lived as a hermit in a small cell near the monastery, spending his days and nights in prayer, fasting, and the work manual. Contemporary accounts describe a man of a humility extraordinary, totally detached from material concerns, entirely focused on God.
But what truly captured the imagination were the extraordinary phenomena that accompanied his death in 1898 and the years that followed. His body, exhumed several times, was said to show signs of incorruptibility, and numerous unexplained healings were attributed to his intercession. These miracles led to his beatification in 1965 and then to his canonization by Paul VI in 1977.
Today, Saint Charbel is the patron saint of LebanonAnd his tomb in the heart of the Annaya monastery attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year, both Christian and Muslim, who come to pray and ask for his intercession. For at LebanonDevotion to Saint Charbel transcends confessional boundaries, bearing witness to a form of popular religiosity that unites rather than divides.
Upon visiting the tomb of Saint Charbel, Leo XIV He thus performs a gesture with a threefold significance. First, he pays homage to a saint whose exemplary life continues to inspire millions of faithful. Second, he demonstrates his closeness to the Maronite community, this Eastern Church in full communion with Rome that has suffered so much throughout history. Finally, he sends a message of hope to all. Christians from the Middle East, minorities and often persecuted, reminding them that they are not forgotten.
The Annaya monastery, with its ochre stone buildings clinging to the mountainside, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys. It is a place of peace and contemplation, far from the hustle and bustle of Beirut, where time seems suspended. For Leo XIVThis step will undoubtedly be an opportunity for a moment of intense prayer, in the footsteps of a saint who knew how to find God in silence and deprivation.
The port of Beirut: memory of a tragedy and hope for rebirth
The last day of his trip, Tuesday, December 2nd, Leo XIV will visit a place that is not a historical site in the traditional sense, but which carries immense emotional weight: the port of Beirut, the scene of the catastrophic explosion of August 4, 2020.
This date is etched in the Lebanese collective memory as one of the darkest moments in the country's recent history. On that day, a fire broke out in a port warehouse where 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, a chemical used as fertilizer but also as a component of explosives, were stored. The flames reached the nitrate stockpile, causing an explosion of unprecedented violence.
The explosion, one of the most powerful ever recorded outside of a nuclear or volcanic eruption context, killed more than 200 people and injured over 6,500. Windows were shattered for miles around, entire neighborhoods were devastated, and nearly 77,000 buildings were damaged. Tens of thousands of Beirut residents were left homeless overnight.
But beyond the human and material toll, it is the feeling of abandonment and injustice that has left its mark. Five years later, the judicial inquiry to determine responsibility has still not been completed. The victims' families are still waiting for the truth. The political figures suspected of criminal negligence have never been brought to justice. Impunity reigns, and with it, a profound sense of despair.
THE Lebanon, Already grappling with an unprecedented economic crisis, the country saw this explosion as a symbol of the failure of its political system. A state incapable of protecting its citizens, incapable of properly storing hazardous materials, incapable of delivering justice to the victims: this is the image conveyed by the wearing of Beirut to the whole world.
It is in this context that the visit of Leo XIV takes on its full meaning. By going to the scene of the tragedy, the pope does not provide a political or economic solution to the problems of LebanonIt brings something different, but just as valuable: compassion.
On August 4, 2025, on the fifth anniversary of the tragedy, Leo XIV had already sent a message to the Lebanese. Through Cardinal Parolin, he had expressed his "affection" for the Lebanese people and recalled that "the Lebanon "Beloved and suffering" remained "at the heart of his prayers".
These words may seem inadequate in the face of the scale of the disaster. What weight can prayers carry in the face of collapsed walls, shattered lives, and a justice that remains elusive? Yet, for the victims and their families, knowing that the head of the Catholic Church is thinking of them, praying for them, and physically visiting the sites of their suffering, represents an invaluable form of recognition.
The visit to Leo XIV at the port of Beirut is also a political act, whether we like it or not. By drawing international attention to this still unresolved tragedy, the pope He reminds the world that the Lebanese deserve truth and justice. Without naming names, without taking sides in local political disputes, he offers a moral perspective on an unacceptable situation.
The port of Beirut Today, the area still bears the scars of the explosion. Some grain silos, ripped open by the blast, have been left as they were, like an unintentional memorial. Reconstruction is progressing slowly, hampered by the economic crisis and political gridlock. It is in this landscape of desolation that Leo XIV will come to pay their respects, offering their presence like a balm on wounds that are still open.
A journey with multiple dimensions: challenges and perspectives
Vatican diplomacy put to the test on the ground
This first apostolic journey of Leo XIV It is not just a spiritual tour. It is also a complex diplomatic exercise that involves the relations of Vatican with several regional and international players.
In Türkiye, THE pope must navigate between several pitfalls. Relations between Ankara and the Holy See have had their ups and downs over the decades. The question of recognizing the 1915 Armenian genocide, which the Catholic Church has officially designated as such, remains a sensitive issue. The restrictions imposed on Christian minorities in TürkiyeEven though they have become more flexible in recent years, they constitute another point of friction.
However, the Vatican and the Türkiye have common interests. Both wish to promote the interreligious dialogue in a world where extremism of all kinds is gaining ground. Both have an interest in the stability of the Middle East, a region where the Türkiye plays an increasingly geopolitical role. The visit of Leo XIV This is therefore an opportunity to strengthen ties which, despite differences, remain important.
At LebanonThe challenges are different but just as complex. This country, long presented as a model of coexistence between Christians and Muslims, is going through an existential crisis. Economic collapse, political paralysis, sectarian tensions, and the growing influence of foreign powers threaten the fragile balance that allowed the Lebanon to survive as a plural nation.
For Christians Lebanese, the visit of pope is a strong signal. It reminds them that they are not alone, that theUniversal Church He cares about their fate, that their thousand-year presence on this earth matters to the world. In a context where Christian emigration is accelerating, where many young people no longer see a future in their country, this message of hope and solidarity is crucial.
But Leo XIV will also have to be careful not to be manipulated by the various Lebanese political factions. In a country where each religious community is represented by political parties, the slightest word from the pope It can be interpreted, distorted, and used for partisan purposes. Diplomatic caution will be necessary.
Ecumenism: a work in progress
One of the central themes of this journey is the ecumenical dimension, that is, the search for unity among the different Christian churches. This concern is particularly evident in the choice of Iznik as a stop on the trip.
The first Council of NicaeaIn 325, the Council of the Holy Roman Emperor brought together bishops who were unaware of the divisions that would tear Christendom apart over the centuries. The schism between East and West in 1054, the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, and the numerous subsequent fragmentations: these are all wounds that the Catholic Church has been trying to heal since the Council. Vatican II, in the 1960s.
On his way to Nicaea for the 1700th anniversary of the First Council, Leo XIV reminds us of what unites us all Christians Faith in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as defined in the Nicene Creed. This foundational text is recited today by Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and many Protestants. It constitutes a shared heritage, a basis upon which dialogue can be built.
There Türkiye occupies a special place in this ecumenical dialogue. Istanbul, The ancient city of Constantinople is home to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the highest spiritual authority of world Orthodoxy. Even though the Patriarch of Constantinople does not have the same power over the Orthodox Churches as the pope Regarding the Catholic Church, he enjoys a primacy of honor which makes him a privileged interlocutor for Rome.
Meetings between popes and ecumenical patriarchs have increased in recent decades, demonstrating a shared desire for rapprochement. Symbolic gestures have followed one after another: the lifting of the mutual excommunications of 1054 by Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras in 1964, reciprocal visits, joint declarations. The path to unity is still long, but it has certainly begun.
For Leo XIVThis trip is an opportunity to continue this patient work of reconciliation. Without rushing things, without ignoring the theological differences that remain, but by cultivating friendship, mutual respect, and common prayer. For theunity of ChristiansIf it ever comes to pass, it will not be the result of a diplomatic agreement negotiated in hushed offices. It will be the result of a conversion of hearts, of a sincere desire to rediscover the communion that existed in the early days of the Church.
Christian-Muslim dialogue: more necessary than ever
The visit to Leo XIV The opening of the mosque at the Blue Mosque in Istanbul is part of a long tradition of dialogue between the Catholic Church and Islam. This dialogue, officially initiated at the Council... Vatican II with the declaration Nostra Aetate In 1965, there were significant advances but also moments of tension.
The Catholic Church recognizes a spiritual link between Muslims and Christians. Both religions share faith in one God, creator of heaven and earth. They recognize Abraham as the father of believers. They await a final judgment where people will be rewarded or punished according to their deeds. These commonalities, without erasing fundamental differences, provide a basis for dialogue.
But this dialogue faces considerable obstacles. The conflicts in the Middle East, where Christians and Muslims sometimes clash directly, create a climate mistrust. Terrorist attacks committed in the name of Islam, even if condemned by the vast majority of Muslims, fuel Islamophobia in the West. Conversely, Western military interventions in Muslim countries foster anti-Christian sentiment in certain regions.
In this tense context, symbolic gestures such as a visit to a pope in a mosque take on particular importance. They show that dialogue is possible, that mutual respect is not a utopia, that believers of different traditions can meet in peaceThey contradict the discourse of extremists of all stripes who preach the clash of civilizations and the incompatibility of religions.
Leo XIVBy crossing the threshold of the Blue Mosque, he follows in the footsteps of his predecessors. But each visit is unique, because the context changes. The world of 2025 is not the same as the world of 2014, when Francis visited. The challenges are different, and so are the expectations. What the pope will say what he will do, how he will behave in this holy place of Islam: everything will be observed, analyzed, commented on.
The goal is not to convert Muslims to Christianity nor to downplay doctrinal differences. The challenge is to show that faith, far from dividing people, can unite them around common values: respect for the human dignitythe quest for peace, concern for the poorest and most vulnerable. This is the message that Leo XIV will bring to Istanbul, And it is this message which, hopefully, will be heard far beyond the walls of the Blue Mosque.
A first international test for the new pontificate
For Leo XIV, this trip to Türkiye and at Lebanon This is much more than a simple pastoral visit. It is a true baptism of fire on the international stage, an opportunity to define the style and priorities of his pontificate.
Each pope leaves his personal mark on the function. John Paul II was the pope a traveler, journeying the world to meet the faithful. Benedict XVI was the pope a theologian, concerned with clarifying doctrine and responding to the intellectual challenges of secularization. Francis is the pope from the peripheries, attentive to the poor, to migrantsto the excluded of all kinds.
What will the face of Leo XIV This first trip provides some clues. The choice of the Türkiye and the Lebanon as first destinations suggests a marked interest in the Middle East, a region where Christians are minorities and often threatened. The emphasis placed on ecumenism and the interreligious dialogue demonstrates a desire to continue the openness initiated by his predecessors. The visit to the port of Beirut shows a sensitivity to the suffering of victims of injustice and political neglect.
But papal trips are also moments of intense communication, where every word, every gesture is scrutinized by the world's media. The speeches that he will deliver Leo XIVThe people he meets, the places he chooses to visit: everything will contribute to shaping his public image and defining expectations for the rest of his pontificate.
Observers will be paying particular attention to how the new pope will handle sensitive issues. Will he address the human rights situation in Türkiye Will he take a position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which directly affects the Lebanon Will he call for justice for the victims of the port explosion? Beirut These are all sensitive topics which Leo XIV will have to find the right balance between prophetic frankness and diplomatic prudence.
This trip is therefore a moment of truth for the new pontificate. It will reveal the strengths and perhaps the weaknesses of the new popeIts ability to touch hearts while navigating the murky waters of global geopolitics will be remarkable. Catholics worldwide, as well as anyone interested in the role of religion in international affairs, will follow every step of this historic journey with great interest.
At the end of this journey through the five symbolic places that will be visited Leo XIVOne thing is clear: this journey is much more than a simple protocol tour. It is an act of faith, a gesture of communion, a call to hope.
From Atatürk's mausoleum to the submerged ruins of Nicaea, from the Blue Mosque to the Monastery of Saint Maroun, from the tomb of Saint Charbel to the wreckage of the port of Beirut, THE pope traces a route that embraces the diversity of human experiences: the grandeur of empires and the fragility of lives, the beauty of places of worship and the ugliness of catastrophes, the memory of saints and the pain of victims.
This journey reminds us that the Christian faith, far from turning inward, is called to reach out to others in all their diversity and complexity. It also reminds us that hope is not naivety, but courage: the courage to believe that dialogue is possible where mistrust reigns, that reconciliation can occur where divisions persist, that consolation can touch those who mourn.
Leo XIV He returns from this trip with images, encounters, and emotions that will undoubtedly mark his pontificate. But beyond his person, it is the entire Church that finds itself engaged in this dynamic of going out into the world, of attention to the peripheries, of openness to the universal.
And we, the spectators of this journey, what will we take away from it? Perhaps simply this: that in a world often dominated by fear and isolationism, there are still men and women who believe in the power of dialogue, in the value of encounter, in the possibility of building bridges rather than walls. This is perhaps the most precious message that Leo XIV will report Türkiye and the Lebanon Hope, always hope.
