Pope Leo XIV arrived in Ankara today on the first day of his six-day visit to Türkiye and Lebanon.

This is his first foreign visit as leader of the worldwide Catholic Church.

Pope Leo  told reporters on the flight from Rome that he wanted to use his first overseas trip to urge peace for the world, and to encourage people of diverse backgrounds to live together in harmony.

Following the official welcome ceremony at Ankara’s International Airport this morning, Pope Leo XIV visited the city’s Mausoleum of Atatürk and signed the Book of Honour.

In Ankara, Pope Leo will meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and address political leaders. 

Pope Leo XIV will travel to Iznik later today, the site of the ancient city of Nicaea, where he and leaders of other Christian traditions will gather to mark the anniversary of an ancient council that took place there 1,700 years ago. 

He will then travel to Istanbul for meetings with other religious leaders in a gesture of inter-religious dialogue

The church leader will also make a prayer visit at the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Istanbul on November 30 before departing to Beirut.

In Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV will meet with the Lebanese prime minister, parliament speaker, and civil society representatives.

Photo: Pope Leo XIV visits the Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara during his first day in Turkiye on Thursday [Andreas Solaro/AFP]