After being elected, Pope Leo XIV chose the Middle East as his first overseas visit. He visited 2 countries: Turkey (From November 27th – November 30th) and Lebanon (November 30th until December 2nd).
Even though there were several concerns that were raised about going to the Middle East at this time, Pope Leo XIV was adamant on going.
We are sure that you saw the video that went viral on social media of the Queen of Jordan asking his Holiness if it was a good idea going to Lebanon at this time, he responded with: “Well, we are going”. If you haven’t seen the video, here is the link of it: https://youtu.be/WB3wrTsFXGE?si=B4ffIGttRATR1lXe.
Pope Leo XIV didn’t hesitate with his response setting a clear tone of peace-building, dialogue, and quiet moral authority.
Here are some of the stuff that Pope Leo XIV did in Istanbul and Lebanon:
Pope Leo XIV in Turkey – November 27th – November 30th
His Convoy departed Rome, Italy early Thursday, November 27, 2025 and arrived the same day to Ankara, Turkey. He began in Ankara at Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Atatürk, before meeting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and senior religious officials to discuss conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
He addressed civil authorities, the diplomatic corps, and civil society at the National Library, emphasizing Turkey’s role as a bridge between cultures and faiths.
On his second day, he visited the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Istanbul to meet Catholic faithful and later traveled by helicopter to İznik to attend an ecumenical prayer service near the ruins of the ancient Basilica of Saint Neophytos, marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea.
When he visited the Blue Mosque on his last day, before going in, he removed his shoes as a sign of respect to the Muslim religious leader that was with him. Then he went in and started contemplating the mosque and its history. When they asked Pope Leo XIV to join them for a prayer, he respectfully declined, and stood there in silence, in a spirit of contemplation and listening, with deep respect for the place and the faith of those who gather there in prayer.
As for the food, there was no specific comments about the food in Turkey during his visit. However, he did receive and acknowledge several food gifts from journalists aboard his flight to Ankara, including two pumpkin pies and a pecan pie, which he said he would share once again showing his pure heart.
Pope Leo XIV in Lebanon – November 30th – December 2nd
His Holiness entered the Lebanese airspace on the 30th of November. As soon as was in, two Airforce fighter jets met his airplane to accompany him to land safely at the airport.
Through a leaked video from one of the fighter jets, the Squadron Commander relayed a message to his Holiness’ Airplane and this was the message: “This is the squadron Commander speaking, welcome to the Lebanese Airspace. We are honored to accompany you until your touch-down. In the land of the Holy cedars, we would like to relay the warm welcome from million of Lebanese awaiting your visit of peace. Formation will be established on your side.” Once the plane touched down at the airport, the Commander welcomed them to Lebanon and left the formation back to the base.
As soon as the Pope stood up at the airplane door, it is said that all churches throughout Lebanon started ringing their bells.
From the Airport, he went to the Presidential Palace and met with the President. After that, he had several meeting with some politicians and addressed the civil society representatives, authorities, and the diplomatic corps.
The next day, he went to Shrine of Saint Charbel Makhlouf in the Monastery of Saint Maroun, Annaya to pray and also went to the Shrine of The Lady of Lebanon in Harissa.
On his last day, he visited to medical staff and patients at the Sisters of the Cross Hospital in Jal el Dib. He then went to the site of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, stood there and prayed in silence.
He also had a celebration of the Holy Mass at Beirut Waterfront, attended by over 150,000 people.
As for the food, there were no official statements recorded for that matter.
Pope Leo XIV’s historic journey through Turkey and Lebanon closes a chapter not just on his first foreign trip, but on a pivotal moment for the Middle East’s weary search for harmony.
In a region scarred by conflict—from Gaza’s rubble to Lebanon’s shattered port and Ukraine’s distant echoes—Leo stood as a quiet architect of hope, weaving threads of interfaith dialogue, Christian unity, and urgent pleas for ceasefires into every encounter. His visits to the Blue Mosque, Nicaea’s ancient grounds, and Beirut’s waterfront Mass reminded millions that peace demands deliberate choice over the “horror of war,” positioning the Vatican as a steadfast broker in turbulent times.
BUT, Will The Pope’s Trip Truly Ignite A Lasting Peace In The Region, Or Will It Remain Another Hopeful Gesture?
“God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail!”
Pope Leo XIV
Whisper The News 
Leave a comment