Pope Leo XIV is embarking on his inaugural foreign journey to deliver a message that combines symbolic significance with geopolitical ramifications. His arrival in Turkey this morning for the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, followed by a visit to Lebanon amid its escalating economic and political crises, positions the pontiff directly in regions facing profound challenges.
His presence conveys two concurrent messages: an endeavor to foster renewed unity among Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant communities, and a clear warning to regional governments that persecution and instability will not escape notice. This trip serves as an early indication of how he intends to leverage the soft power of the papacy.
Matthew R. Petrusek, Ph.D., senior director of the Word on Fire Institute, informed Digital that this trip distinctly signals the new pontiff’s priorities. “Pope Leo has indicated early in his papacy that a primary objective is to offer hope to Christians residing in regions where they encounter persecution or difficulties in practicing their faith. By traveling to Turkey and Lebanon, I believe Leo is assuring Christians, both in these countries and globally, ‘You are not forgotten; the Church stands with you.’”
In Turkey, he will commemorate the occasion. The pivotal council convened in 325 AD in the ancient city of Nicaea, now Iznik, and formulated the Nicene Creed, a fundamental statement of Christian belief shared by Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants.
On Thursday, the pope is scheduled to fly by helicopter to Iznik for a prayer service at the archaeological remnants of the basilica where the council gathered.
Petrusek underscored the profound symbolic weight of this moment. “Christianity is a creedal religion — it is founded on shared, voluntary adherence to unchanging doctrines about Jesus Christ and the Church, which provide consistency and coherence to Christianity worldwide. The Nicene Creed forms the cornerstone of Christian identity.”
To highlight the anniversary, Leo issued an apostolic letter on November 23rd, titled “In the Unity of Faith,” emphasizing the Creed’s enduring role in uniting Christian communities. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops stated that the document stresses the continued relevance of Nicaea’s teachings for Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants today.
Petrusek noted that the pope’s approach makes a broader statement regarding unity. “The Creed includes the words, ‘I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.’ I believe Pope Leo is also signaling his desire to do everything within his power, in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, to mend the divisions that, regrettably, still prevent Christ’s Church from being ‘one.’”
While in Turkey, the pope will also meet Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, visit a location, and celebrate liturgies.
The second segment of the journey will bring the pope to Lebanon, a nation that last hosted a papal visit more than a decade ago. The late pontiff had hoped to travel there but was unable to due to his declining health.
Lebanon retains the largest proportion of Christians in the Middle East, yet the population has drastically declined owing to economic collapse, emigration, and political paralysis. The Associated Press reported that the pope will meet with officials, Christian and Muslim clerics, and families affected by multiple overlapping crises. One of the most anticipated moments will occur on December 2nd, when Leo visits the Port of Beirut, the site of the 2020 explosion that resulted in over 200 fatalities and more than 6,000 injuries.
Petrusek remarked that papal visits have a deep emotional resonance. “It is difficult to overstate the positive impact of a pope visiting one’s country for Catholics, especially those who are suffering due to their faith. It serves as a reminder that the ‘Church’ is not an abstract concept but, rather, a historical reality that extends back to Jesus Christ himself.”
He further 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 various actions, ‘Your crimes are not occurring in secrecy; the world is watching.’”
In Lebanon, the pope will deliver addresses in both English and French. The Vatican has released the official missal for the liturgies, and Lebanese media are preparing for substantial crowds despite infrastructure deficiencies.
The Vatican is expected to emphasize unity, interfaith dialogue, and support for vulnerable communities. Pope Leo’s statements in Turkey and Lebanon will be closely monitored by regional governments and religious communities navigating conflict, insecurity, and demographic decline.
Petrusek concluded that the trip embodies the core principles of Leo’s early papacy: “A papal visit brings immense hope and a renewed resolve to persevere… suffering and death, especially as a consequence of persecution, not only do not have the final say; when freely united to Christ on the Cross, they lead to nothing less than eternal life.”