"Just seven months after his election, Pope Leo XIV will set out on his first journey abroad. From November 27 to 30, he will visit Turkey, before continuing on to Lebanon, where his stay will last until December 2. In this way, the American-born leader of the Catholic Church carries forward the international outreach of his predecessors. Today, papal travel is regarded as an essential part of the office and is "Hardly imaginable without it," observes church historian Jorg Ernesti in conversation with DW."
"There is great anticipation over the tone Pope Leo will strike on his first journey abroad and how he may distinguish himself from his predecessors. In Turkey, the pontiff intends to visit the capital, Ankara and the city of Istanbul. He will also travel to Iznik, some 100 kilometers to the southeast, where 1700 years ago the first ecumenical council of the universal Church was convened."
Seven months after his election, Pope Leo XIV will travel abroad from November 27–30 to Turkey and then to Lebanon until December 2. The itinerary includes Ankara, Istanbul and Iznik — site of the first ecumenical council convened 1700 years ago — and in Lebanon Beirut and several northern pilgrimage sites. The pope will pause for silent prayer at Beirut’s harbor, devastated by the 2020 explosion that killed nearly 200 people. A century ago Christians formed large shares of both countries' populations; today fewer than 1% of Turks are Christian and Lebanon's Christian share has declined to about 30%. Turkey will soon have hosted five popes, reflecting deep early-Christian ties.
Read at www.dw.com
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