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Pope Leo XIV arrived in Lebanon and Turkey on Nov 27 for his first trip as pope, focusing on peace, Christian unity, and interfaith dialogue amid regional tensions. He visited key religious sites, called for political unity, and emphasized Lebanon's role as a model of coexistence, marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.
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Pope Leo, the first US pope, is on a three-day visit to Turkey and Lebanon, marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and advocating for Christian unity, regional peace, and interfaith dialogue amid ongoing conflicts and regional tensions.
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On November 29, 2025, Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S. pontiff, visited Istanbul's Blue Mosque, removing his shoes as a sign of respect but choosing not to pray visibly. He toured the mosque with Muslim leaders, engaging in light conversation, and broke from predecessors by skipping the Hagia Sophia. His visit marks the start of his first overseas trip, which includes Lebanon.
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Pope Leo's visit to Lebanon follows engagements in Istanbul, including a prayer at the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral and a liturgy with Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew. His trip aims to support Lebanon during its ongoing crises, including economic collapse, the Beirut port explosion, and regional conflicts involving Hezbollah and Israel. The pope will meet victims of the Beirut blast and encourage Lebanese unity and resilience.