Pope Leo XIV will visit Turkey and Lebanon in late November

Pope Leo XIV will travel to Turkey and Lebanon in late November and early December. The key event of the visit to Turkey will be a pilgrimage to Iznik, timed to coincide with the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council. The trips will take place at the invitation of the heads of state and church authorities of both countries.

According to Vatican News, the visit to the Republic of Turkey will take place from November 27 to 30. The program of the trip includes a pilgrimage to the city of Iznik, known in history as Nicea, where the First Ecumenical Council was held in 325. This event is timed to coincide with the 1700th anniversary of the historic council.

Immediately following his visit to Turkey, Pope Leo XIV will head to Lebanon from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2. The trip is also organized in response to an official invitation from the country’s state and church leaders.

The official Vatican statement notes that the detailed itinerary and schedule of events for both apostolic journeys will be published at a later date.

Recall, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople reissued a fraternal invitation to Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem to participate in the celebrations on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the convening of the First Ecumenical Council, which will be held on November 28 in Nicea. The announcement came during a packed program that included an evening service on the occasion of the feast of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, as well as a celebration of the 34th anniversary of the election of Patriarch Bartholomew himself.