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Pope Leo XIV Promotes Unity on Historic Turkey Trip

12/2/2025

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Pope Promotes Unity

Pope Leo XIV, leader of the Roman Catholic Church, begins his first international trip to Lebanon and Turkey to promote unity and normalize Turkey–Armenia ties.
In Istanbul, he prayed at the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral and urged Christian unity amid Turkey–Armenia tensions.
The Pope avoided the term ‘genocide’ while pursuing normalization between the two nations.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan previously met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss reconciliation.

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Pope Advocates Coexistence

Pope Leo XIV's visit to Lebanon emphasizes interfaith unity amid the country's political paralysis.
Speaking at Martyrs’ Square, he urged coexistence and highlighted Lebanon's diverse religious landscape as a model for peace.
Local leaders acknowledged ongoing sectarian divisions and the impact of regional conflicts, particularly Israel's actions in Gaza.
Sheikh Ali al-Khatib noted the deep wounds from these conflicts.

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Pope Promotes Unity

Pope Leo XIV, leader of the Roman Catholic Church, begins his first international trip to Lebanon and Turkey to promote unity and normalize Turkey–Armenia ties.
In Istanbul, he prayed at the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral and urged Christian unity amid Turkey–Armenia tensions.
The Pope avoided the term ‘genocide’ while pursuing normalization between the two nations.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan previously met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss reconciliation.

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