Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, has announced that Pope Leo XIV will embark on his inaugural Apostolic Journeys abroad to Türkiye and Lebanon in late November and early December of this year.
In his statement, Bruni indicated that the Pope had accepted invitations from both the Head of State and ecclesiastical authorities in Türkiye and Lebanon. The visit to Türkiye will feature a pilgrimage to İznik, marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. Details regarding the itinerary for Lebanon will be shared in due time.
A Beacon of Hope
In an interview with Vatican News, Bishop César Essayan, the Apostolic Vicar of Beirut, expressed that the Pope’s visit to Lebanon would serve as “a great sign of hope” for a region plagued by conflict. He shared his hope that the visit would usher in a breath of peace and a moment of renewal, emphasizing the necessity for humanity to pursue peace through dialogue, justice, and respect for every individual’s dignity.
Bishop Essayan noted that both Lebanese Christians and Muslims eagerly anticipate the Pope’s arrival, hoping to hear his words, which resonate with messages of unity and brotherhood, contrasting the prevailing discourse of war in Lebanon.
