Pope Leo XIV has commenced his inaugural international journey as pontiff, marking a significant milestone in his papacy. Over the next six days, he will visit Turkey and Lebanon, two nations with deep historical and religious significance. The trip, originally planned by his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, carries the overarching theme of ‘building bridges,’ a mission Pope Leo has embraced since his election in May. His measured and cautious approach in the first six months of his papacy will now face the test of diplomacy as he navigates complex geopolitical landscapes. The journey begins in Turkey, where Pope Leo will join leaders of various Christian traditions in Iznik, the ancient city of Nicaea, to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. This historic gathering in 325 AD affirmed the belief in Jesus as the Son of God, laying the foundation for the Nicene Creed. The visit will also include a stop at Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, continuing the interfaith dialogue initiated by his predecessors, Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI. From Turkey, Pope Leo will travel to Lebanon, a nation still reeling from recent Israeli airstrikes on its capital, Beirut. Despite the turmoil, the Vatican has confirmed that the visit will proceed as planned. In Lebanon, the Pope will meet with faith leaders and engage with the youth, offering support to the country’s Christian community, which constitutes approximately one-third of the population. The trip will culminate with a Mass at the Beirut waterfront, the site of the devastating 2020 port explosion, where he will pray for the victims and their families. Throughout his papacy, Pope Leo has struck a delicate balance between progressive ideals and traditionalist values, earning support from diverse factions within the Catholic Church. His diplomatic finesse will be put to the test as he addresses regional conflicts and fosters unity. Notably, the Pope will deliver public addresses in English during his time in Turkey and incorporate French in Lebanon, reflecting his multilingual fluency and commitment to global outreach. The trip concludes with a customary press conference on the return flight to Rome, where Pope Leo will share his reflections on this historic journey.