Pope Leo Begins First Overseas Trip With Call for Peace

Post by : Saif Nasser

Pope Leo began his long-awaited first overseas journey on Thursday as he arrived in Turkey, marking an important moment for the Catholic Church and for global diplomacy. This trip is being closely watched because it gives the world its first clear look at the new pope’s views on peace, conflict, and interfaith unity at a time when the Middle East is facing one of its most dangerous periods in years.

The pope landed in Ankara at 12:22 p.m. for the start of a three-day visit in Turkey, followed by a trip to Lebanon. His arrival is symbolic in many ways. Turkey is a mainly Muslim country, yet it carries special meaning for Christians because it hosted the early Church council that created the Nicene Creed 1,700 years ago. This creed remains the foundation of Christian belief for millions around the world. By choosing Turkey as his first destination, Pope Leo is sending a message about dialogue, respect, and the importance of shared history.

This trip also matters because little is known about Pope Leo’s political or diplomatic approach. He served for many years as a missionary in Peru and only stepped into a Vatican leadership role in 2023. He became pope in May after the death of Pope Francis, who had planned to visit Turkey and Lebanon but could not travel due to worsening health. As a result, this journey is the first major opportunity for Pope Leo to show how he sees the world and what priorities he will set for the Church.

Soon after reaching Ankara, Pope Leo was scheduled to meet President Tayyip Erdogan and address Turkish political leaders. From there, he was set to fly to Istanbul, where he would meet Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of nearly 260 million Orthodox Christians. The relationship between the Catholic and Orthodox churches has been shaped by centuries of division since the East-West Schism of 1054, but recent decades have seen growing efforts to rebuild trust. The joint visit by Pope Leo and Patriarch Bartholomew to Iznik, the historic site of the Nicene Council, is expected to send a strong signal of unity.

Unlike previous popes, who usually spoke Italian during foreign trips, Pope Leo is expected to speak English in Turkey, another sign that he wants his messages to reach a wider global audience. His speeches are likely to focus on peace, cooperation, and religious understanding, especially at a time when tensions across the Middle East are worsening.

On Sunday, Pope Leo will continue his journey in Lebanon, a country suffering from deep political, economic, and security challenges. Lebanon has the highest percentage of Christians in the Middle East, but it has been shaken by the spillover of the Gaza conflict and the growing danger of a wider war. Recently, Israel carried out a major airstrike in Beirut, killing a top Hezbollah commander, raising fears of more violence.

Lebanon also hosts nearly one million refugees from Syria and Palestine, while its own people are struggling with years of economic collapse. Leaders in Beirut hope the pope’s visit will draw global attention to their country’s suffering and encourage world powers to push for peace. The Vatican has confirmed that strong security measures are in place, though details were not shared publicly.

Pope Leo’s first international trip is unfolding at a moment when the world is hungry for messages of calm and unity. His choice of Turkey and Lebanon, his willingness to engage with both Muslim and Christian leaders, and his emphasis on peace make this visit an important event with the potential to influence global conversations. As the new pope steps onto the world stage, his words and actions will be watched closely by millions who hope that his call for peace will inspire real change in a troubled region.