ArmInfo. Pope Leo XIV's first Apostolic Journey outside of Italy will see the Holy Father travelling to Turkiye and Lebanon next month, 27 November - 2 December 2025, on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicea, Vatican News reports.
On Monday, the Holy See released the schedule for the pope's Journey, which will begin in Turkiye on 27 November. Upon his arrival in the capital, Ankara, the Holy Father will meet with the nation's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, before addressing Turkish authorities, representatives of civil society, and members of the diplomatic corps. At the end of the day, the Pope will travel by plane from Ankara to Istanbul, Turkiye's largest city.
During his first full day in Turkiye, Friday 28 November, Pope Leo will meet with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons and pastoral workers at Istanbul's Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Later in the morning, he will visit the nursing home of the Little Sisters of the Poor.
After a short helicopter flight to Nicea - modern Iznik - the Holy Father will participate in an ecumenical prayer service near the archaeological excavations of the ancient Basilica of Saint Neophytos.
Returning that same day to Istanbul, the Pope will meet with bishops in the Apostolic Delegation.
On Saturday, 29 November, Pope Leo will begin his day with a visit to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque - the famous "Blue Mosque" before meeting privately with leaders of the local churches and Christian communities at the Syriac Orthodox Church of Mor Ephrem.
In the afternoon, he will take part in a Doxology at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George, the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Following the service, Pope Leo XIV with meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, with the two leaders signing a Joint Declaration in the Patriarchal Palace.
The day will conclude with Holy Mass celebrated in Istanbul's Volkswagen Arena.
The Holy Father's schedule for Sunday, 30 November - the feast of St Andrew the Apostle - begins with a prayer visit to the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral.
Later that morning, Pope Leo will attend a Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George. Following an ecumenical blessing at the conclusion of the liturgy, the Pope will have lunch with Ecumenical Patriarch.
RA Government guarantees high salaries for CC justices, Syunik families deprived of family benefits - politician 
Armenian experts, leading Turkish think tanks discuss prospects for expanding cooperation 
Political Scientist: As long as the opposition remains silent, Pashinyan can use Plan B and secure a constitutional majority
US-Iranian memorandum more beneficial for Iran from political and economic perspective - expert 
Zakharova: Armenia`s pro-EU pivot poses economic security risks to EAEU member states
It`s time for South Caucasus countries to think of South Caucasus as single, unified region - RA premier 
Pashinyan: Armenia and Azerbaijan should leave each other alone
Moscow sees situation with Armenia as attempt to attack Russia-involving integration associations - Russian presidential aid
Zakharova: Armenia views relations with Russia as tool for financially securing reorientation toward EU
The Armenian Minister of Justice and the EU Ambassador discussed visa liberalization issues for Yerevan.
Azerbaijan`s aggressive plans against Armenia became possible in wake of Pashinyan`s decisions on Artsakh - expert 
Zakharova: Russia sent a note of protest to Armenia over the act of vandalism at the "Mother Armenia" memorial in Gyumri
Samvel Karapetyan proposes creating a post-election opposition coalition
Artsakh`s Cultural Heritage Ombudsman called on Moscow to respond to destruction of WWII monuments by Azerbaijan in occupied NKR
Prosecutor General`s Office petitions Central Electoral Commission for criminal prosecution of Robert Kocharyan
Dutch Prime Minister expresses his support for Armenia`s democratic reform and economic diversification agenda
Heritage: It`s time for Armenia`s opposition to present people with legitimate alternative to power
RA Security Council Sec, Assistant to President of Azerbaijan hold negotiations in Dilijan 
