Vatican considering potential visits to Turkey and Lebanon by the Pope
Pope Leo XIV Ponders Visits to Turkey and Lebanon
Pope Leo XIV is considering a visit to the Middle East later this year, with plans for stops in Turkey and Lebanon taking shape. The Vatican is reportedly involved in the planning of these visits, with preparations already underway.
According to reports, Pope Leo XIV had initially hoped to travel to Turkey in July to mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. However, this visit has been postponed, and the Pope is now eyeing a trip in late November. If the visit materialises, it is likely to include a stop in the capital, Ankara, and a visit to the Phanar, the patriarchate's headquarters in Istanbul.
In Lebanon, preparations for the Pope's visit have already begun. Cardinal Bechara Rai, patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church, has announced that the Pope could visit Lebanon "by the end of the year." The exact dates for the visit have not been confirmed yet.
The Maronite Rite, a significant Christian rite in the Eastern Mediterranean, is potentially involved in Pope Leo XIV's planned visit to Lebanon. The visit to Lebanon is a part of the potential trip the Pope is considering.
The world is a broader context for understanding Pope Leo XIV's planned visits to Turkey and Lebanon. These visits could be part of a larger trip, and the Middle East is a possible location for Pope Leo XIV's visit given his planned visit to Lebanon and potential visit to Turkey.
The exact travel plans for Pope Leo XIV's visit to Turkey in November and December are being prepared by Vatican officials involved in coordinating with local church leaders, including Archbishop Martin Kmetec of Izmir and Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, the Pope's representative for Eastern Churches.
It's worth noting that Pope Francis was planning to travel to Iznik in May to mark the same anniversary with Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. However, the visit was postponed due to the pandemic.
In the past, popes such as St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis have made visits to the patriarchate to join in the Nov. 30 celebrations of the feast of St. Andrew. If Pope Leo XIV's visits to Turkey and Lebanon materialise, they could involve meetings with government officials, adding another significant chapter to the long-standing relations between these countries and the Vatican.
As of now, no comment has been made by the Vatican press office regarding Cardinal Rai's announcement. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
