The official program has been announced for the first apostolic journey of Pope Leo XIV, spiritual leader of Catholics and Head of Vatican City State, scheduled to take place from November 27 to December 2, 2025.
Details continue to be shared with the public regarding the program ahead of the official visit to Turkey by Pope Leo XIV, spiritual leader of Catholics and Head of Vatican City State, on November 27.
During his first official foreign visit, Pope Leo XIV will tour the remains of an ancient basilica submerged underwater in Lake Iznik, believed to be the site where the First Council convened in 325 AD. The official program for the Pope's first apostolic journey, taking place from November 27 to December 2, 2025, has been announced.
Details of the program in Turkey and Lebanon, where Pope Leo XIV—elected as the new spiritual leader of the Catholic Church in May—will make his first foreign trip, have been shared by the Vatican Press Office.
The Pope's Program:
According to the program shared by the Vatican Press Office, the Pope will first arrive in the capital Ankara on November 27. Following a visit to Anıtkabir, he will hold official meetings. After meeting with the President, he will travel to Istanbul in the evening. On November 28, the Pope will visit the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Harbiye in the morning hours. He will then travel from Istanbul to Iznik to participate in the 1700th anniversary ceremonies of the First Council of Nicaea, which holds an important place in Christian history.
On November 29, Pope Leo XIV will visit the Sultanahmet Mosque and then meet with Christian communities in Istanbul. The Pope is also expected to celebrate Mass at Volkswagen Arena on the same day.
On November 30, he will attend Mass at the Patriarchal Church of the Virgin Mary in Kumkapı. At noon, he will meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. He will then travel from Istanbul to Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.
Pope Leo XIV will meet with official and religious authorities in the country. On the final day of his Beirut visit, Pope Leo XIV will visit a hospital and then proceed to the Port of Beirut, where a major explosion occurred on August 4, 2020.
The Pope is expected to complete his engagements in Beirut on the evening of December 2 and return to Rome.
