Pope Leo's First Trip to Focus on Ecumenical Relations
Pope Leo XIV will travel to Turkey and Lebanon in November to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and its Creed, and to reaffirm hopes for peace in the Middle East.
The trip was initially planned for Pope Francis, but Pope Leo announced his intention to undertake the journey just days after his election in May. He will be joined by Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.
The Council of Nicaea took place "before the different divisions" in Christianity and because in the Creed "we can all still find a common profession of faith."
The Vatican released the itinerary for Pope Leo's first foreign trip in October. The trip will include a visit to Iznik, Turkey, the site of the ancient Nicaea.
- Commemorating the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea
- Reaffirming hopes for peace in the Middle East
- Meeting with Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople
Author's summary: Pope Leo XIV's first trip focuses on ecumenical relations.