Pope Leo XIV considers first international trips to Turkey and Ukraine
The Italian newspaper "La Repubblica" reports that Pope Leon XIV is likely to make his first trip to Nicaea in Turkey in connection with the 1695th anniversary of the Council. The Pope would also like to visit Ukraine. However, this visit will depend on the further development of peace negotiations, as reported.
One of the first leaders to contact the Pope was the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. In a cordial phone conversation, Zelensky invited the Pope to make an apostolic visit to Kyiv, emphasising that such a visit would bring true hope to all believers and the entire Ukrainian nation.
The conversation also focused on peace in Ukraine and the fate of children deported by Russia. Zelensky thanked the Pope for his support and discussed the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, emphasising Ukraine's readiness for further negotiations and expecting similar steps from Russia.
Both parties agreed to remain in contact and to plan a personal meeting in the future. The invitation to Kyiv is both symbolic and strategic – a visit by the Pope to a war-torn country would be an unprecedented gesture of solidarity and support, reports "La Repubblica".
Although Ukraine is one of the main topics, Pope Leon XIV is also considering other destinations for his first international trips.
Is Turkey the first destination?
Among them is Nicaea in Turkey, where an ecumenical meeting would be held to mark the anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea.
"While in the case of Ukraine, we will have to wait for possible peace negotiations to clarify the situation, Leon XIV’s first trip may be to Nicaea in Turkey for the 1695th anniversary of the Council," states the Italian newspaper.
Such a visit would be significant for the dialogue between Christians of different denominations. The Pope has not yet declared specific dates or locations, emphasising that the Cardinal’s plans may differ from the decisions made now as the Pope.
In conversations with journalists, Leon XIV also addressed questions about potential visits to Fatima, the United States (his country of origin), and Peru, where he served for many years as a missionary and bishop. While he ruled out a quick return to the USA, he suggested that concrete information about a visit to Peru might soon emerge.
Source: "La Repubblica"
