Pope Leo XIV is embarking on his first foreign journey, visiting Turkey and Lebanon in a trip focused on advancing relations with Orthodox Christians and Muslims. The visit comes at a tense time for the region, with heightened security following recent conflict in Lebanon. In Turkey, Leo will mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, joining Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in prayer and signing a declaration of Christian unity. He will also participate in interfaith meetings and visit significant religious sites, though notably avoiding the Hagia Sophia after its controversial reconversion to a mosque.

In Lebanon, the pope will address the country's tradition of religious tolerance and offer a message of peace amid ongoing regional turmoil. Highlights include a silent prayer at the site of the 2020 Beirut port explosion and meetings with young Lebanese, offering encouragement in the face of economic hardship and political instability. The trip is seen as a significant opportunity for the Vatican to promote dialogue and unity in a region marked by division and conflict.