Pope Leo XIV welcomes journalists aboard a plane bound for Ankara, Turkey, for a six-day visit to Turkey and Lebanon, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025.
Domenico Steinellis/AP
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Domenico Steinellis/AP
Shortly after the plane took off from Rome to Ankara, Pope Leo XIV came to welcome the press onto the plane. “Buongiorno e tutti,” he said. “And to the Americans here: Happy Thanksgiving! It’s a wonderful day to celebrate.”
This is the first foreign visit of Pope Leo, the first American, after being elected to the papacy in May this year. Facing over 80 journalists from over 15 countries, ready to report his every word and move, may have seemed daunting. But it seemed that the Pope had handled the situation as per his convenience.
He spoke with enthusiasm about his mission during a six-day visit to Turkey and Lebanon, in which he aims to encourage world leaders to try to bring peace. “We hope to proclaim, to transmit, to declare how important peace is throughout the world and to invite all people to come together to seek greater unity, greater harmony,” he said. “And look for ways in which all men and women can truly become brothers and sisters, despite their differences, despite their different religions, despite their different beliefs.”
Pope Leo told the press corps on the plane that “today it is very important that the message be transmitted in a way that really reflects the truth and harmony that the world needs.”
Pope Leo visits the Middle East at a sensitive time, as a tenuous ceasefire continues following Israel’s devastating offensive in Gaza. Meanwhile, Lebanon – the Pope’s next stop after Türkiye – has also been affected by the war between Israel and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah.
Pope Leo XIV walks while being welcomed upon his arrival at Esenboga International Airport in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, marking the beginning of his first trip abroad.
Khalil Hamra/AP
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Khalil Hamra/AP
Leo is scheduled to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Türkiye and President Joseph Aoun in Lebanon. He will pray in both churches and mosques, and sit with leaders of various Christian denominations and various religions, including Muslims and Druze.
In Turkey, he will visit the site of the Council of Nicaea, where, 1700 years ago, the statement of faith was created that is still used in the church by various Christian denominations. Leo described the Council of Nicaea as “the true meaning of unity”. He said, “I was looking forward to this trip very much to see what it means for all Christians, but also what a great message it is for the whole world.”
After saying these words, Pope Leo got down from the plane and shook hands with every journalist. Some members of the press gave him gifts to welcome him into his role – these included an icon of the Virgin of Guadalupe and, this Thanksgiving, a pumpkin pie to commemorate the years he spent in Latin America.
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