Pope Leo arrives in Türkiye on his first overseas trip six months after taking office

Pope Leo

During his visit to Ankara, the Pope summarized the message of the trip by saying that “all men and women can truly be brothers and sisters, despite their differences, religions and beliefs.”

The visit to both countries was originally planned by the late Pope Francis, but the most important topic – bridge building – was something Pope Leo made his own from the moment he stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after being elected last May.

Since becoming pope six months ago, he has conveyed the feeling of extreme caution, even caution. But his diplomatic skills will be scrutinized on this trip.

A key moment of the trip takes place in the Turkish town of Iznik, home to the ancient city of Nicaea. Pope Leo and leaders of other Christian traditions will gather to mark the anniversary of the ancient council held there 1,700 years ago. In 325 A.D., more than 200 bishops attending the Council affirmed their belief that Jesus was the Son of God, resulting in a major decision that eventually became known as the Nicene Creed.

Although the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity later split dramatically, there will be a message of unity and healing of divisions during this trip.

In Turkey, the Pope is also scheduled to visit the Blue Mosque, as did his immediate predecessors, Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI. Before his second trip, he plans to meet with other religious leaders to promote interreligious dialogue.

The Vatican said plans for the Pope’s visit to Lebanon had not changed following the Israeli airstrike on Beirut earlier this week.

He will meet more faith leaders and hear the stories of Lebanon’s youth. His visit will especially empower Lebanon’s roughly one-third Christians.

On the final day of his trip, Pope Leo will celebrate Mass on Beirut’s waterfront, the site of the 2020 port explosion, and pray for the more than 200 people who died and 7,000 who were injured.

In recent months, he has spoken on some issues dear to him, such as the dignity of immigrants, but he has certainly not taken an overtly political stance like his predecessor.

He has gone so far as to claim, in some cases, support for his school of thought, both progressives and traditionalists within the Catholic Church.

It was for a similar reason that cardinals with different beliefs were thought to have united around him in the conclave.

Pope Francis was considered a visionary, but one who did not worry too much about creating consensus and left behind a somewhat divided church. Pope Leo has so far operated in a very different way, gently adhering to some of his predecessor’s progressive ideals while remaining attentive to traditionalist views.

He continued to call for an end to the war, but in a different way than Pope Francis. Pope Francis has memorably called the Holy Family Orthodox Church in Gaza every day to ask for support.

During the trip, during meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Lebanese civic leaders, Pope Leo may also comment on his views on the conflict in the region.

Since it is customary for the Pope to hold a press conference with the traveling press on his flight back to Rome, we will be able to hear some of his impressions at the end of his trip.

What we’ll hear more about on this trip is the Pope speaking with a Chicago accent.

Pope Leo, who speaks several languages ​​fluently, has so far given public addresses primarily in Italian, but the Vatican confirmed he will speak in English during his visit to Turkey and some French during his stay in Lebanon.