Pope Leo's First Overseas Trip to Turkey Draws Global Attention

Pope Leo travelled to Turkey on Thursday for his first foreign visit since becoming pontiff, a closely watched trip centred on diplomacy and unity.

The three-day visit includes meetings in Ankara with Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan and government officials, followed by stops in Istanbul and the historic city of Iznik, formerly Nicaea.

The timing aligns with the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, where early Christian leaders agreed on the Nicene Creed, a doctrinal text still used by churches worldwide.

Ahead of the trip, the Vatican said Pope Leo intends to highlight religious coexistence and strengthen ties between the Catholic and Orthodox churches.

• Pope Leo begins his first overseas trip in Turkey, focusing on diplomacy, unity and interfaith relations
• The visit includes meetings with Turkish leaders and religious figures, marking a key milestone in Vatican outreach
• The trip aligns with the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, adding historical and theological significance​

In Istanbul, he will meet Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, continuing a long-running effort to ease divisions between the two branches of Christianity.

The Vatican has not announced additional foreign destinations, but Turkish officials said Lebanon will be the next stop on the tour.

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Security has been tightened across key sites in Ankara and Istanbul, with Turkish authorities coordinating closely with Vatican security ahead of public appearances and religious events.