Pope Leo to pray at tomb of St. Charbel during first apostolic journey to Turkey, Lebanon
October 27, 2025 · 12:30
Vatican City
Pope Leo XIV waves to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Sunday Angelus on Oct. 26, 2025, at the Vatican. © Vatican Media
The Vatican on Monday released the full program for Pope Leo XIV’s first apostolic journey, which will take him to Turkey and Lebanon from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2.
The trip will center on two key moments: a pilgrimage to İznik (ancient Nicaea) to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea and a visit to the tomb of St. Charbel Makhlouf in Lebanon.
The Council of Nicaea, convened in 325 by Emperor Constantine, was a turning point in Christian history. It produced the original formulation of the Nicene Creed — later adopted as the universal profession of faith — and set out to unify the date of Easter across the Church.
© Catholic News Agency