Vatican publishes program of Pope Leo's first trip to Turkey

Pope Leo XIV. Photo: vaticannews

The Vatican has published the detailed program of the first visit of Pope Leo XIV, who will visit Turkey and Lebanon from November 27 to December 2, 2025. This was reported by Vatican News.

The visit will include a pilgrimage to Iznik (ancient Nicaea) on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council. The program includes protocol meetings with authorities, dialogue with Orthodox Churches, and interreligious communication.

The six-day trip will begin on November 27 with the arrival in Ankara, where an official meeting will take place at Esenboga Airport, a visit to the Ataturk Mausoleum, and a welcoming ceremony at the presidential palace with the pontiff's first speech. Then Pope Leo XIV will fly to Istanbul.

On November 28, the pontiff will meet with Catholic bishops, priests, and deacons at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, visit a home for the elderly, and then arrive in Iznik. There, in the archaeological complex at the site of the ancient Nicaean Basilica of Saint Neophytos, an ecumenical prayer meeting will take place.

On November 29, the head of the RCC will visit the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, then hold a private meeting with representatives of churches and Christian communities in the Syriac Orthodox Church. In the afternoon, the Pope will participate in a prayer at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George in Phanar, meet with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and sign a Joint Declaration with him. The day will end with a mass at the "Volkswagen Arena" stadium.

On November 30, the pontiff will visit the Istanbul Cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church, join the liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint George on the feast of the Apostle Andrew, the patron of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, after which he will depart for Beirut. 

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Pope's visit to Turkey is causing disagreements among Orthodox hierarchs.

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