Pope Leo will undertake his first trip outside Italy since taking office, with an official visit to Turkey and Lebanon next month, the Vatican confirmed today.
Pope Leo, the first pope from the United States, is expected to focus attention on the challenges facing Christians in the Middle East region, as well as call for peace and interfaith dialogue.
"We pray that the efforts for peace in Gaza will soon bring the desired results," the Pope said during Sunday's Mass, referring to the increasingly tense situation in the region.
The visit comes at a time when the Vatican is increasing its criticism of the Israeli offensive in Gaza. Yesterday, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, strongly condemned the "ongoing massacre", in one of the strongest statements from the Holy See since the start of the conflict.
During stops in Ankara and Beirut, Pope Leo is expected to meet with religious and political leaders, as well as hold meetings with local Christian communities and refugees affected by the ongoing conflicts in the region.
