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Overview
- The Holy See set the dates: Turkey from Nov. 27–30 and Lebanon from Nov. 30–Dec. 2, marking his first travel abroad since his election.
- The Turkey leg includes a pilgrimage to Iznik for the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, the Vatican said.
- Reuters and other outlets report a planned meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew linked to the Nicaea commemorations.
- In Lebanon, the pope intends to press for peace and remember victims of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, according to Vatican officials.
- Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the detailed six-day program will be published in due time, and the visit fulfills priorities long voiced by Pope Francis.