Pope Leo will embark on his first trip outside Italy as the leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, travelling to Türkiye and Lebanon, where he is expected to make appeals for peace in the region.
Leo, the first U.S. pope, will give his first speeches to foreign governments and visit some sensitive cultural sites as part of a crowded itinerary during the 27 November to 2 December trip.
His predecessor Pope Francis had planned to visit both countries but was unable to because of his worsening health. Francis died on 21 April and Leo, originally from Chicago, was elected pope on 8 May by the world's cardinals.
Leo goes first to Türkiye, from 27 November to 30, where he has several joint events with Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the world's 260 million Orthodox Christians, who is based in İstanbul.
Peace is expected to be a key theme of Leo's visit to Lebanon, which has the largest percentage of Christians in the Middle East.
Leo will also visit İstanbul's Blue Mosque, his first visit as pope to a Muslim place of worship, and will celebrate a Catholic Mass at Istanbul's Volkswagen Arena.
The pope will also host an inter-religious meeting and lead an outdoor Mass on the Beirut waterfront. But Leo, visiting five towns and cities in the country, will not travel to the south, the target of Israeli strikes.
U.S. and Pakistani leaders forecast a Sunday signing of a long-elusive framework agreement to end fighting between the United States and Iran, but Teh...
Hundreds of protesters have torn down fences surrounding a planned luxury development site in Albania, as public anger continues to mount over constr...
George Russell continued Mercedes's dominant qualifying form by securing pole position for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, while Lewis Hamilton en...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 14 June, covering the latest developments you need to know....
Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been reconnected to the electricity grid after repairs were carried out under a localised ceasefire bro...
Pope Leo XIV celebrated his 70th birthday on Sunday at St. Peter’s Square, blessing the faithful and receiving messages from around the world, including from world leaders and children.
Head of the Catholic church Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday urged the global community to push for a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, calling for the release of hostages and safe delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
SpaceX made a historic entrance into the Nasdaq on Friday, surging over 20% in its first day of trading and lifting its valuation to more than $2 trillion. Investors flocked to the world’s largest IPO, betting on Elon Musk’s sprawling empire spanning rockets, AI and beyond.
Armenia has every right to choose Europe. But Europe’s support for Armenia’s direction should not become automatic approval of its political process.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to publish the UK government's long-awaited Defence Investment Plan ahead of next month's NATO summit in Ankara, following growing pressure over the UK's military spending commitments.
Hundreds of protesters have torn down fences surrounding a planned luxury development site in Albania, as public anger continues to mount over construction in environmentally sensitive areas.
George Russell continued Mercedes's dominant qualifying form by securing pole position for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, while Lewis Hamilton ensured an all British front row with second place for Ferrari.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 14 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been reconnected to the electricity grid after repairs were carried out under a localised ceasefire brokered by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment