Pope Leo XIV has begun his first overseas journey as pope, arriving in Turkiye for a four-day visit that includes meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Christian leaders. The trip, which also features a stop in Lebanon, is seen as a significant moment for interfaith dialogue and peace efforts in a region marked by conflict. In Ankara, Leo will address authorities and civil society, while his speeches throughout the visit will focus on promoting unity among Christians and fostering dialogue with Islam in a predominantly Muslim country. The pope is also expected to address issues such as the treatment of refugees and the challenges faced by Turkiye's Christian minority, all while navigating sensitive topics like human rights and political dissent.

A highlight of the visit will be the celebration of the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea in Iznik, where Leo will join Orthodox Christian leaders in prayer, underscoring his commitment to Christian unity. The pope's journey comes at a time of heightened division within the Orthodox world and ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, making his calls for peace and solidarity especially resonant. After Turkiye, Leo will travel to Lebanon, a country grappling with economic crisis and recent violence, further emphasizing the importance of his message in the region.