Pope Leo XIV is set to make history this week as he embarks on his first journey outside Italy since his election. The trip, scheduled from November 27 to December 2, will see the first American pope visit Turkey and Lebanon, where he is expected to deliver powerful appeals for regional peace and call for unity among long-divided Christian churches.
A Crowded Itinerary for a New Pontiff
This inaugural foreign tour represents a significant moment for the new pontiff. Pope Leo, 70, will deliver his first major addresses to foreign governments and visit several sensitive cultural sites during the packed schedule. His predecessor, Pope Francis, had planned a similar trip but was unable to undertake it due to his declining health. Francis passed away on April 21, and Leo, originally from Chicago, was elected by the world's cardinals on May 8.
John Thavis, a retired Vatican correspondent who covered three papacies, emphasised the importance of this debut. "A pope's first foreign trip is an opportunity to capture and hold the world's attention," Thavis stated. "What's at stake for Pope Leo is his ability to connect with a wider audience, in a region where war and peace, humanitarian needs and interfaith dialogue are crucial issues."
The Evolution of Papal Diplomacy
Foreign travel has become a central part of the modern papacy's agenda, a tool for the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics to engage directly with global congregations and leaders.
Pioneers of the Papal Journey
Pope Paul VI (1963-1978) broke a 150-year tradition by becoming the first pope to leave Italy. He made nine foreign visits, starting with a 1964 trip to Israel and Jordan. In a landmark 1965 visit to the UN headquarters in New York, he addressed the General Assembly in French with his poignant plea: "No more war, never again war!"
Pope John Paul II (1978-2005) transformed papal travel into a constant global engagement. During his nearly 27-year pontificate, he made 104 foreign visits, travelling over one million kilometres and visiting 129 countries. Known for his energetic, non-stop itineraries, his diplomatic efforts included a 1984 stopover in Alaska, where he met with US President Ronald Reagan.
Modern Pontiffs and Delicate Missions
Pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013), from Germany, made 25 foreign visits, largely within Europe. A 2006 trip to his homeland caused widespread anger among Muslims after he suggested Islam was violent, quoting a 14th-century Byzantine emperor. He later travelled to Turkey that same year to foster Christian-Muslim reconciliation. His final visit was to Lebanon in September 2012.
Pope Francis (2013-2025) continued this legacy with 47 foreign visits to 66 countries, often focusing on what he termed the "peripheries" of the world. He was the first pope to visit Mongolia, Myanmar, South Sudan, and Iraq. A 2015 visit to the Philippines set a record, with an estimated seven million people attending a Mass in Manila.
The Future Under Pope Leo
With Pope Leo in good health at 70, Vatican watchers anticipate a busy travel schedule. A trip to Peru, where he served as a missionary for decades, is considered highly likely for 2026. The pope has also expressed a desire to visit Portugal, Mexico, Uruguay, and Argentina in comments made on November 18. His first journey to the Middle East sets the tone for a papacy expected to be as globally engaged as those of his recent predecessors.
