Pope to visit Türkiye-Lebanon next month

Pope Leo XIV’s first Journey outside of Italy will see the Holy Father travelling to Türkiye and Lebanon next month, 27 November – 2 December 2025, on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicea.

On Monday (26 Oct 2025) the Holy See released the schedule for the Pope’s journey, which will begin in Türkiye on November 27. Upon his arrival in the capital, Ankara, the Pope will meet with the nation’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, before addressing Turkish authorities, representatives of civil society, and members of the diplomatic corps. At the end of the day, the Pope will travel by plane from Ankara to Istanbul, Türkiye’s largest city.

During his first full day in Türkiye, Friday 28 November, Pope Leo will meet with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons and pastoral workers at Istanbul’s Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Later in the morning, he will visit the nursing home of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

After a short helicopter flight to Nicea – modern İznik – the Holy Father will participate in an ecumenical prayer service near the archaeological excavations of the ancient Basilica of Saint Neophytos.

Lebanon

After a farewell ceremony at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport, Pope Leo XIV with begin the second leg of his Apostolic Journey by flying to Beirut, Lebanon. Upon his arrival, the Pope will meet with hold separate meetings with the President of the Republic, the President of the National Assembly, and the Prime Minister of Lebanon. He will then give his customary address to Lebanese authorities, representatives of civil society, and members of the diplomatic corps.

Pope Leo will hold an ecumenical and interreligious meeting in Martyrs’ Square in Beirut. Later, in the square in front of the Maronite Patriarchate of Antioch in Bkerké, Pope Leo will meet with young people of Lebanon.

The Holy Father will celebrate Holy Mass at the Beirut Waterfront, the final major event of the journey to Lebanon.