The Vatican’s Press Office has announced the details of Pope Leo XIV’s first international trip since his election in May 2025 as the new leader of the Catholic Church. The visit will include Türkiye from November 27 to 30, followed by Lebanon from November 30 to December 2.
Türkiye: The First Stop in a Journey of Faith and Dialogue
The Pope will begin his tour in Ankara, the Turkish capital, where he is scheduled to meet with senior Turkish officials on the first day of his visit. Later that evening, he will travel to Istanbul to continue a busy program that includes religious and cultural engagements.
On November 28, the Pope will visit İznik, in the province of Bursa – known in antiquity as Nicaea – to take part in the commemoration of the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, held in 325 AD.
This council is one of the most significant events in Christian history, as it produced the Nicene Creed, which became a cornerstone of Christian theology and faith throughout the centuries.
İznik: The City of Sacred History and Architecture
Situated in the heart of Bursa Province, on the shores of Lake İznik, the city of İznik (Nicaea) is one of the most historically rich destinations in Anatolia.
Over the centuries, it has been recognized as an important religious and intellectual center, home to ancient Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques, and the imposing Roman walls that still surround the city today.
Nicaea once served as a temporary capital of the Byzantine Empire in the 13th century before flourishing under the Ottoman Empire, becoming world-renowned for its exquisite İznik ceramics—the same tiles that adorn the walls of Istanbul’s Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque) and other imperial monuments.
Today, İznik stands as a living symbol of coexistence between civilizations and faiths, blending the traces of Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques into a unique architectural panorama that tells the story of two millennia of belief, culture, and Turkish artistry.
Notably, Bursa is located only 45 minutes from Yalova, another historic and fast-growing Turkish city on the shores of the Sea of Marmara.
Istanbul: Where Civilizations Meet in the Heart of History
On November 29, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque)—one of the world’s greatest examples of Ottoman architecture—in a symbolic gesture of mutual respect between Christianity and Islam.
He will also meet with local Christian communities and celebrate a public Mass at Volkswagen Arena, highlighting the shared spiritual and cultural legacy that unites people across Türkiye.
From Istanbul to Beirut: A Message of Peace from Anatolia to the Arab World
On November 30, the Pope will depart Türkiye for Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, where he will continue his meetings with political leaders and religious figures.
During his stay, he will visit a hospital and the Port of Beirut, paying tribute to the victims of the tragic August 4, 2020 explosion, before returning to Rome on the evening of December 2.
A Visit of Profound Meaning: Türkiye at the Heart of Interfaith Dialogue
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Türkiye carries deep significance, coinciding with the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. It also marks his first international journey since assuming office, making Türkiye a symbolic starting point for a renewed global dialogue among religions.
The idea for such a visit was first proposed by the late Pope Francis in 2024, who had expressed his wish to travel to Türkiye in 2025 for the same commemoration.
Although his passing prevented the plan from being realized, his successor, Pope Leo XIV, chose to fulfill that vision in honor of his predecessor’s message of unity.
Türkiye: A Crossroads of Faith and History
With this journey, Pope Leo XIV becomes the fifth Pope to visit Türkiye, following Pope Francis (2014), Pope Benedict XVI (2006), Pope John Paul II (1979), and Pope Paul VI (1967).
The visit once again reaffirms Türkiye’s position as a bridge between East and West, and as a nation that embraces interfaith harmony and cultural dialogue, reflecting its enduring humanistic and diplomatic vision.
Symbolic Reflections on Türkiye’s Global Image
From both cultural and investment perspectives, this visit provides a positive boost to Türkiye’s international image, conveying messages of tolerance, peace, and coexistence.
It reinforces the country’s appeal as a safe and welcoming destination for tourism and real-estate investment, especially amid growing global interest in its historic cities such as Istanbul, Bursa, and nearby Yalova—all of which are witnessing rapid urban and touristic growth.
Among these, Omran Trk stands out as a pioneering developer that blends the spirit of history with the elegance of modern living, through premium residential projects along the scenic shores of the Sea of Marmara.
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