In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV has embarked on his first international Apostolic Journey, departing this morning from Fiumicino Airport bound for Ankara, Turkey. This journey, which will last until December 2, includes a significant stop in Iznik to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, before continuing on to Lebanon. Under the inspiring motto “One Lord, one faith, one baptism,” the trip seeks to strengthen ecumenical ties and promote fraternity in regions marked by spiritual and social challenges.
The flight, operated by ITA Airways and carrying the Holy Father, his delegation, and a large group of accredited journalists, departed promptly at 7:58 a.m. local time from Rome. The air route crosses the skies of Italy, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Turkey, covering a distance of approximately 1,930 kilometers. Arrival in the Turkish capital is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., from where the Pope will travel in the afternoon to Istanbul to continue his agenda.
This is the fifth pope to set foot on Turkish soil, following in the footsteps of predecessors such as Saint John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. In fact, Leo XIV is thus fulfilling a wish expressed by his predecessor, Pope Francis, who in May 2025 reiterated his desire to return to Turkey—a country he visited in 2014—precisely to honor this historic milestone. The climax of the itinerary in Turkey will take place in Iznik, ancient Nicaea, where the Pope will preside over an ecumenical prayer service at the excavations of the Basilica of Saint Neophyte. There, together with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, and a dozen leaders of various Christian denominations, prayers will be offered before icons of Christ and the Council, culminating in the symbolic lighting of a candle representing the light of unity.
Later, from Sunday, November 30, to Tuesday, December 2, the trip will continue in Lebanon, a country facing regional tensions but which the Vatican sees as a bridge for interreligious dialogue. “This journey is not just a geographical tour, but a call for reconciliation and shared witness to the faith,” commented Vatican sources close to the event.
During his journey, Pope Leo XIV did not forget his Italian roots. In a telegram addressed to the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, the Pontiff expressed his commitment to “meeting with the Italian people, especially with our brothers and sisters in faith, encouraging paths of peace and fraternity.” He also extended his warm greetings to all of Italy, accompanying it “with fervent wishes for the spiritual, civil, and social progress of the country.”
The traditional greeting to the press aboard the papal plane, a customary ritual on these journeys, is expected during the flight, allowing the Pope to share his initial reflections on this mission that unites history, faith, and hope. This Apostolic Journey marks not only the international debut of Leo XIV but also a renewed impetus for interfaith dialogue in a divided world.
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