Pope Leo XIV, the 70-year-old American head of the Catholic Church, will undertake his first foreign voyage since his election with a six-day trip to Turkey and Lebanon beginning in late November, the Vatican announced on Tuesday.
The highly anticipated trip will focus heavily on an historic pilgrimage to Turkey to mark a major anniversary in Christian history.
Itinerary and Focus on Nicaea
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed the trip will be divided into two legs:
- Turkey: November 27–30
- Lebanon: November 30–December 2
The highlight of the Turkish leg will be a pilgrimage to Iznik (formerly Nicaea), “on the occasion of the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea,” Bruni stated. The full itinerary for both stops is expected to be released later.
Historical Significance
The decision to prioritize Iznik reflects the deep theological importance of the site. The trip to Iznik was originally planned for Pope Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, who died in April.
Located about 100 kilometers (62 miles) southeast of Istanbul, Nicaea hosted the first ecumenical council in Christian history in 325 AD. This council, convened by Emperor Constantine, brought together Christian bishops from across the Roman Empire. Its most enduring legacy is the Nicene Creed, a statement of faith that established the core doctrine that God exists in three persons—the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit—a cornerstone belief for most major Christian denominations.
Source: Al Jazeera
