Pope Leo XIII began his first international trip by meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to whom he warned against the proliferation of conflicts which, he said, "jeopardize the very future of humanity." This trip, which will take him to Turkey and then Lebanon until December 2, is presented by the Vatican as a strong call for dialogue in a period of growing regional and international tensions.
During a welcoming ceremony at the presidential palace, the pontiff stressed the need for leaders to ease tensions and "restore the conditions for lasting coexistence among peoples." He also emphasized that a growing number of humanitarian crises and armed conflicts demanded collective responsibility to prevent an irreversible deterioration of the global situation.
The Pope's trip also includes meetings with Orthodox Christian leaders in Turkey, a gesture intended to encourage reconciliation between long-divided churches. The Vatican presents these exchanges as essential in a region where sectarian tensions remain high and religious minorities face persistent challenges.
The trip will continue in Lebanon, where the Pope is expected to deliver several speeches focused on peace and stability, as the country remains gripped by a deep political crisis and the fallout from surrounding conflicts. According to the Vatican, Leo XIII intends to highlight the capacity of pluralistic societies to resist violence when sincere efforts at reconciliation are undertaken.
