His Holiness Pope Leo XIV departs from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport as he begins his first Apostolic Journey, which takes him to Türkiye and Lebanon to offer a sign of unity and peace.

By Devin Watkins

The papal plane took off from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport at 7:58 AM on Thursday, bound for Ankara, Türkiye.

The partitions of the ITA Airways Airbus A320neo bore the image of Our Mother of Good Counsel, a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary held dear by the Augustinians.

Devotion to Our Lady under the title is tied to the hill-town church of Genazzano, Italy, where the Augustinians have served since the 13th century.

By Fr. Dr. Rif'at Bader, Head of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media, Publisher of Abouna Website, and Media Consultant on behalf of the MECC Executive Committee

On his first visit outside Italy, Pope Leo XIV's plane lands today, Thursday, at Ankara Airport so that Turkey would be the first leg on his apostolic tour, to be followed by a second leg to fraternal Lebanon. Through this visit, the Pope seeks to fulfill a "double dream" that his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, was unable to realize due to his passing away.

Today, we address the first stop, namely Turkey which by virtue of its location is a crossroads of civilizations and cultures. It is also a holy land, rich in historical sites sanctified by the apostles where Christianity took root after the ascension of Lord Jesus Christ. Among the most important of these apostles is Paul the Apostle, who founded several churches there and wrote letters that are considered an integral part of the Holy Bible.

At the General Audience, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reflects on his upcoming Apostolic Visit to Türkiye and Lebanon, two countries “rich in history and spirituality”.

By Joseph Tulloch

Wednesday’s General Audience was one of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s last official appointments in Rome before his Apostolic Journey to Türkiye and Lebanon, which begins on Thursday.

The Pope spoke of the visit, which will be his first foreign journey, at the end of the audience,  describing the countries he would be travelling to as “rich in history and spirituality”.

At the Wednesday General Audience, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reflects on the mystery of life, and recalls that God’s love gives our lives meaning as we participate in giving life to others.

By Devin Watkins

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV continued his catechesis on the theme of hope at the Wednesday General Audience.

He focused on the mystery of human life and the contradictions and promise wrapped up in our existence.

Life, he said, is given to us as a gift which we did not ask for, and every person faces difficulties and obstacles, some to an even greater extent.

As the Christian community in Türkiye awaits His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to commemorate the Council of Nicaea with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Christian Unity, says he hopes that this joint commemoration will bear witness to Christian unity.

By Christine Seuss

Q: The First Council of Nicaea took place 1,700 years ago. Why is it still relevant today?

Cardinal Koch: I believe there are two reasons for this. Firstly, the Council took place in 325, at a time when Christianity had not yet been wounded by so many divisions and separations.

That is why the Council concerns all Christians and can be celebrated in Ecumenical fellowship. And second, the Council defined and established the Christian faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, which is held by all Christians.

Reminding ourselves of this anew and deepening our faith together in ecumenical friendship is the great advantage of this event…

The Doctrinal Note Una caro. In Praise of Monogamy has been published, exploring the value of marriage as an “exclusive union and mutual belonging.” It highlights the importance of conjugal charity and attentiveness to the poor, and condemns all forms of violence, both physical and psychological. In an individualistic and consumerist age, young people must be educated to understand love as responsibility and trust in the other.

By Isabella Piro

Marriage is defined as “an indissoluble unity” by the doctrinal Note of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), calling it an “exclusive union and mutual belonging.” Fittingly, the document—approved by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on 21 November, the liturgical memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and presented to the press today, 25 November—bears the title Una caro (one flesh). In Praise of Monogamy.

It explains that only two people can give themselves fully and completely to one another; otherwise, the gift becomes partial and fails to respect the other’s dignity.

As His Holiness Pope Leo XIV prepares to visit Türkiye and Lebanon, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin emphasizes the importance of the Apostolic Journey for ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, as well as his role as a sign of hope and peace.

By Massimiliano Menichetti

Türkiye and Lebanon stand ready to receive His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his first international Apostolic Journey, which focuses on witness and encounter. The Pope is traveling to the Middle East to strengthen the faith and share the message of Christ.

The director of the Holy See Press Office presents His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s first Apostolic journey that takes him to Türkiye and Lebanon, emphasizing Ecumenical commemoration, Interreligious dialogue, and support for local Christian communities. The visit includes historic and symbolic encounters, meetings with civil and religious leaders, and gestures of solidarity amid regional challenges.

By Salvatore Cernuzio

The Holy See Press Office Director, Matteo Bruni, has presented His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s first Apostolic journey, which will take him to Ankara, Istanbul, and Beirut, with a significant stop in İznik—ancient Nicaea—for the 1700th anniversary of the Council. The pilgrimage carries a strong Ecumenical character and places Interreligious dialogue at its centre. It will also be a moment of closeness to Christian communities and local populations across the region. Bruni confirmed that “all necessary security measures have been taken.”

The six-day visit will take place from Thursday, 27 November to Tuesday, 2 December 2025.

At Castel Gandolfo, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV answers journalists’ questions outside Villa Barberini. He describes his upcoming Apostolic journey to Türkiye and Lebanon as a trip marked by hope and peace. On Ukraine and the Middle East, he urges always seeking dialogue to end war. Regarding efforts to stop violence against women on the day dedicated to the issue, he says that mentalities must change beginning with the education of young people.

Vatican News

In response to the first question asked by journalists, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV said “I am very happy to be able to visit Lebanon.” Forty-eight hours before he is to embark on his first Apostolic journey, to Türkiye and Lebanon, the Pope was in Castel Gandolfo for his weekly day of rest but also work. And as he did last Tuesday, he answered questions from reporters gathered along the road together with various faithful who greet him.

On Saturday, November 22, 2025 morning, at eleven o’clock, His Beatitude Patriarch John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, arrived at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut, where he was received by His Eminence Metropolitan Elias Audi, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut and Dependencies, along with the Orthodox Bishops of Lebanon. After a Prayer, His Beatitude presided over a meeting, following which he declared:

“On this day so dear to all our hearts, the Day of Lebanon’s Independence—Lebanon the Mission, the Lebanon of civilization and refinement—we gather in our Archdiocese of Beirut with our beloved brother, His Eminence Elias, Metropolitan of Beirut and Dependencies and the Orthodox Bishops of Lebanon.

First, we extend our best wishes to His Excellency the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, and to all Lebanese people, on this noble occasion.

Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), received His Excellency, the Most Reverend Archbishop Paolo Borgia, Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, on Monday, November 24, 2025, at the Catholicosate of the Holy See Cilicia, in Antelias, Lebanon.

The main topic of discussion was the forthcoming apostolic visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to Lebanon. Archbishop Borgia presented the detailed program of the visit and officially extended an invitation to His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to participate in several key events.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV approves the publication of new Regulations of the Roman Curia, which implement the reform put in place by the Apostolic Constitution "Praedicate Evangelium."

By Vatican News

The Regulation of the Roman Curia and the Regulation of Personnel of the same institution were published on Monday, 24 November.

They were signed on Sunday, 23 November, by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, commonly known as the Feast of Christ the King.

Following a month-and-a-half-long pontifical visit to the Armenian dioceses of North America, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), returned to the Catholicosate in Antelias, Lebanon, on the evening of Saturday, November 22.

During his journey, which included the Dioceses of Canada as well as the Eastern and Western United States, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I engaged with the faithful, community organizations, and Armenian institutions. A central focus of the visit was the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of his Enthronement as Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia…

Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) presided over the Divine Liturgy and delivered a Pontifical message at St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Douglaston, New York, on Sunday, November 16, 2025.

The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Papken Tcharian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada. The Service was attended by clergy, representatives of diocesan bodies, and the faithful.

Ahead of his upcoming Apostolic Journey to Türkiye, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV issues the Apostolic Letter 'In unitate fidei' on the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, broken down into 12 points, with the hope of "encouraging the whole Church to renew her enthusiasm for the profession of faith."

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Ahead of his upcoming Apostolic Journey to Türkiye, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV issued on Sunday, 23 November, the Solemnity of Christ the King, the Apostolic Letter 'In unitate fidei' on the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.

The full Letter, which has the hope of "encouraging the whole Church to renew her enthusiasm for the profession of faith," is broken down into twelve points, and can be read in its entirety HERE.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV arrives in Assisi and pays a visit to the tomb of St Francis, saying his witness is especially important "at a time when the world is searching for signs of hope.”

By Benedetta Capelli - Assisi

“It is a blessing to be able to come here today to this sacred place. As we approach the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’s death, we have the opportunity to prepare to celebrate this great, humble, and poor Saint at a time when the world is searching for signs of hope.”

These were the first public words spoken by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV during his visit to Assisi, standing before the tomb of St. Francis.

It was the first stop on the Pope’s visit to the central Italian town, where he is meeting, on 20 November, with the Bishops of the Italian Episcopal Conference at the close of their 81st General Assembly.

On November 19, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), presided over an online meeting of the General Secretariat of the Holy Synod.

Their Eminences, members of the General Secretariat: Mor Justinus Boulos Safar, Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Beqaa, Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, Patriarchal Vicar in Germany, Mor Dionysius John Kawak, Patriarchal Vicar in the Archdiocese of Eastern USA, Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk, Kurdistan and Environs, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Archbishop of Homs, Hama, Tartous and Environs, Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, and Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, participated in the meeting.

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II opened the meeting with a Prayer and then he discussed with their Eminences different topics related to our Churches throughout the world.

Damascus, November 18, 2025

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, paid an inspection visit to St. Elias Church – Dweilaa to observe the reconstruction works completed after the terrorist.

The Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, invites us to read a passage from the Passion of Jesus according to the Gospel of Luke (Lk 23:35-43).

This passage can be divided into two parts.

In the first (Lk 23:35-38), we see the attitude of the different characters toward Jesus at the foot of the Cross, that of the people, the leaders, and the soldiers.
In the second part (Lk 23:39-43), our gaze lifts to see what takes place between Jesus and the two criminals crucified with him.

In both parts, there is a recurring refrain: the leaders of the people, the soldiers, and one of the two criminals ask Jesus to save himself, to come down from the Cross, to show his power.

The Gospel of Luke opens with the proclamation of salvation. This announcement first resounded in Mary's song, exulting in God her saviour (Lk 1:47).Then on the lips of Zechariah, who regained his voice upon seeing the wonders God had done in his life, after believing that God truly could free and save (Lk 2:71, 77). The proclamation of salvation also was also heard in Bethlehem, where the shepherds heard the angels announce the birth of a Savior (Lk 2:11).

It is an announcement that runs through the entire Gospel, entering the homes of the poor, and working wonders in the lives of so many people…