Pope Leo XIV has embarked on his inaugural international journey, infusing it with profound symbolism and significant geopolitical implications. Arriving in Turkey this morning to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, and subsequently venturing into Lebanon amidst its economic and political turmoil, the pope is making a statement by visiting regions where Christianity once thrived.

His visit serves a dual purpose: fostering unity among Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant communities, and issuing a stern reminder to regional governments that persecution and instability cannot be ignored. This journey is an early indication of how Pope Leo XIV plans to utilize the papal influence on the global stage.

Dr. Matthew R. Petrusek, senior director at the Word on Fire Institute, shared with Fox News Digital that the pope’s trip underscores his priorities. “Pope Leo has clearly indicated that his papacy will focus on offering hope to Christians facing persecution or hardships in practicing their faith. By traveling to Turkey and Lebanon, he is sending a message to Christians in those nations and worldwide: ‘You are not forgotten; the Church stands with you.’”

Pope Leo XIV was seen departing from Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport for Ankara on November 27, 2025, embarking on a six-day mission that begins in Turkey to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the historic First Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea, now known as Iznik. Following this, his itinerary will take him to Lebanon.

Turkey: Marking 1,700 Years Since the Council of Nicaea

The pope’s visit to Turkey will honor the anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, a pivotal gathering in 325 AD that took place in ancient Nicaea, today’s Iznik. This council was instrumental in formulating the Nicene Creed, a foundational declaration of Christian faith embraced by Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants alike.

On Thursday, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to take a helicopter to Iznik, where he will engage in prayer at the archaeological site of the basilica, the very location where the council once convened.

Petrusek emphasized the symbolic weight of this moment. “Christianity is a creedal religion — it is based on shared, free assent to unchanging doctrines about Jesus Christ and the Church that give consistency and coherence to Christianity around the world. The Nicene Creed forms the backbone of Christian identity.”

Archaeologists uncovered a Roman-era hospital in Turkey’s ancient city of Kaunos that later became a Christian sanctuary. (Durmus Genc/Anadolu via Getty Images)

To underline the anniversary, Leo issued an apostolic letter on Nov. 23 titled “In the Unity of Faith,” highlighting the Creed’s enduring role in unifying Christian communities. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said the document stresses the relevance of Nicaea’s teachings for Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants today.

Petrusek said the pope’s approach makes a broader statement about unity. “The Creed includes the words, ‘I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.’ I believe Pope Leo is also signaling that he wants to do everything within his power, in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, to heal the rifts that, sadly, still prevent Christ’s Church from being ‘one.’”

In Turkey, the pope will also meet Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, visit Christian communities in Istanbul and celebrate liturgies.

Archbishop Sahak II Mashalian, Armenian patriarch of Constantinople, blesses a worshipper during Mass at the Surp Asdvadzadzin Patriarchal Church in Istanbul, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, ahead of the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Turkey. (Khalil Hamra/AP Photo)

Lebanon: A Rare Papal Stop in a Country in Crisis

The second half of the journey will take the pope to Lebanon, a country that last hosted a papal visit more than a decade ago. The late Pope Francis had hoped to travel there but was unable to do so due to his declining health.

Lebanon remains home to the largest proportion of Christians in the Middle East, but the population has plummeted due to economic collapse, emigration and political paralysis. The Associated Press reported that the pope will meet political leaders, Christian and Muslim clerics and families affected by overlapping crises. One of the most anticipated moments will come on Dec. 2, when Leo visits the Port of Beirut, the site of the 2020 explosion that killed more than 200 people and wounded more than 6,000.

One of the most anticipated moments of Pope Leo’s trip will come on Dec. 2, when he visits the Port of Beirut, where an explosion claimed the lives of more than 200 people on Dec. 2, 2020. (Hussein Malla/AP)

Petrusek said papal visits have a profound emotional impact. “It is hard to overestimate the positive effect having the pope visit your country has for Catholics, especially those who are suffering because of their faith. It is a reminder that the ‘Church’ is not an abstraction but, rather, a historical reality that goes back to Jesus Christ himself.”

He added that the pope’s presence carries a message for governments in the region. “In addition to his message of hope to the faithful, his presence in these countries communicates to those responsible for persecuting Christians, ‘Your crimes are not taking place in the dark; the world is watching.’”

In Lebanon, the pope will speak in both English and French. The Vatican has released the official missal for the liturgies, and Lebanese media are preparing for large crowds despite infrastructure shortages.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) welcomes Pope Leo XIV (R) with an official welcoming ceremony at Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkiye on Nov. 27, 2025.  (Utku Ucrak/Anadolu via Getty Images)

What to Watch For

The Vatican is expected to emphasize Christian unity, interfaith dialogue and support for vulnerable communities. Pope Leo’s words in Turkey and Lebanon will be closely watched by regional governments and religious communities navigating conflict, insecurity and demographic decline.

Petrusek said the trip reflects the heart of Leo’s early papacy: “A papal visit brings immense hope and a renewed patience to persevere… suffering and death, especially as a result of persecution, not only doesn’t have the final say; when freely united to Christ on the Cross, it leads to nothing less than eternal life.”