Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to arrive in Türkiye Thursday for a four-day official visit at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, marking the first international trip of his papacy.

According to the Turkish Presidency, the visit will take place between 27 and 30 November and will include meetings with President Erdoğan and other senior officials. Discussions are expected to focus on Türkiye–Vatican relations as well as pressing global and regional issues, particularly the situation in Palestine.

The Vatican has emphasized that the journey carries a strong message of peace and interfaith dialogue. Following his programme in Türkiye, the Pope is expected to continue to Lebanon as part of the same regional tour.

During his stay, Pope Leo XIV will also meet prominent religious leaders, including the Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch, in a gesture highlighting efforts to strengthen Christian unity. His schedule in Türkiye includes a planned visit to the historic city of İznik (Nicaea), where events marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea will be held — a symbolic moment for Christian tradition and East-West religious heritage.

Observers note that the Pope’s decision to choose Türkiye as the first destination of his pontificate underscores the country’s strategic and cultural role in regional diplomacy. The visit is viewed as a significant step toward enhancing interfaith dialogue, promoting peace, and addressing ongoing humanitarian challenges in the broader Middle East.(ILKHA)