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Vatican City, Nov 27, 2025 / 08:25 am (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV opened his first international trip on Thursday with a sweeping call for unity, renewed dialogue, and a rejection of the global drift toward division and violence.

Speaking in Turkey’s capital of Ankara on Nov. 27 during his formal welcome by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the pope said he hoped Turkey could be “a source of stability and rapprochement between peoples” and serve the cause of a “just and lasting peace.” He described the country as “inextricably linked to the origins of Christianity” and a land that invites a fraternity “that recognizes and appreciates differences.”

Launching a six-day trip that will also take him to Lebanon, the pope said the region’s peoples can help remind the world that peace, human dignity, and fraternity “are the only sure foundations for our common future.”

The massive Presidential Palace where he spoke has become a symbol of Turkey’s contemporary political authority since Erdoğan inaugurated it in 2014. Bombed during the failed 2016 coup attempt, it remains the seat from which Erdoğan has shaped the country’s domestic and international posture. Before his meeting with Erdoğan, the pope paid his respects at the tomb of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic.

In his remarks welcoming Leo, Erdoğan praised the cultural openness and interreligious harmony of Turkish society and his country's commitment to peace and humanitarian assistance, citing its welcome to refugees from Syria's long civil war.

In his speech, the pope rejected the mentality of “might is right,” urging a renewed “culture of encounter” to counter what he described as a growing “globalization of indifference.” Justice and mercy, he said, must guide political and social life. He also warned that artificial intelligence risks entrenching existing inequalities because it “simply reproduces our own preferences,” and appealed for cooperation to “repair the damage already done to the unity of our human family.”

Recalling his predecessor’s description of today’s conflicts as “a third world war fought piecemeal,” Pope Leo cautioned: “We must not give in to this! The future of humanity is at stake.” He said the Vatican seeks to work with all nations committed to the integral development of each person.

Calling Turkey a “crossroads of sensibilities,” the pope emphasized that the country’s social vitality depends on plurality. “Uniformity would be an impoverishment,” he said, warning that communities today risk becoming “polarized and torn by extreme positions.” Reflecting on the journey’s emblem — a bridge spanning the Dardanelles — he said it symbolizes not only a link between Asia and Europe but also a deeper call to unity: “It connects Turkey to itself.”

Pope Leo recalled Saint John XXIII, remembered locally as the “Turkish Pope” because he spent nearly a decade as a Vatican diplomat in Turkey before becoming pontiff and worked to ensure Catholics were not marginalized in the early decades of the republic. Echoing the saint’s teaching, Leo dismissed isolationism as “a false logic.” He also highlighted the contributions of women to society and international life and underscored the importance of the family, where “without the ‘other’ there is no ‘I’.”

Turning to the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the primary impetus for his visit, which will include ecumenical meetings and worship with Eastern Orthodox leaders, the pope said the historic 4th-century gathering still speaks of encounter and sustained dialogue.

Turkey has played roles in several regional conflicts in recent years, including involvement in the Syrian war and support for Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia. At the same time, Ankara has taken part in diplomatic efforts, including mediating between Russia and Ukraine and influencing ceasefire discussions involving Hamas.

Pope Leo was scheduled to continue on by air to Istanbul following the speech, and had no further public events planned for Thursday.

Edmonton, Canada, Nov 27, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Stephen A. Hero of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, as the eighth archbishop of Edmonton, succeeding Archbishop Richard Smith, who became archbishop of Vancouver in May.

The announcement came just days after the Nov. 17 announcement of Father Susai Jesu, OMI, as the new archbishop of Keewatin-Le Pas in northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

In a letter to the clergy and faithful of Edmonton, Hero said he was “humbled and grateful for the trust placed in me to take up this new mission in the Church and to serve in a community that is already close to my heart.” He will be installed on Jan. 23 , 2026, at St. Joseph’s Basilica in Edmonton.

Hero, 56, is a native of Lachine, Quebec, and moved to Edmonton at age 10. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Edmonton in 2000 after studies at the Seminary of Christ the King in Mission, British Columbia, and at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He later obtained a licentiate in liturgical theology from Sant’Anselmo.

He served as an assistant pastor in Edmonton parishes, as vocations director, and then joined the formation team at St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton. He became vice rector in 2010 and rector in 2012, teaching spirituality, liturgy, and sacraments at Newman Theological College. Pope Francis appointed him bishop of Prince Albert in 2021.

In his message to the Diocese of Prince Albert, he expressed sadness at leaving, thanking parishioners, clergy, and religious and, referencing the North Saskatchewan River, noted the “river that flows from Edmonton to Prince Albert” as a reminder of their shared connection and “the same grace of God that gives us life.” He becomes diocesan administrator of Prince Albert until his installation in Edmonton.

His episcopal motto, “Deus Solus” (“God Alone”), comes from Psalm 86:10 and reflects his conviction that God must remain at the center of Christian life. His updated coat of arms will incorporate the heraldic insignia of an archbishop, including the archiepiscopal cross and 10 tassels on each side. A black field signifies the finiteness of creation; a gold saltire cross marks Christ’s saving death and resurrection; turtledoves evoke St. Joseph and his Temple offering; and 12 stars represent Our Lady and the hope of eternal glory.

Father Paul Kavanagh, administrator of the Archdiocese of Edmonton, welcomed the appointment on behalf of clergy, religious, and faithful, calling the new archbishop “a gift from God” and assuring him of prayers and support as he returns home.

‘A humbing experience’

Jesu’s episcopal ordination will take place at the end of January at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in The Pas, Manitoba.

Jesu said the words of Mary’s Magnificat came to his mind on hearing of his appointment. “It is a humbling experience to receive God’s calling to serve as a bishop,” he said, adding that his heart was “filled with gratitude and joy.”

Born in 1971 in Pushpavanam, Tamil Nadu, India, he entered the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and was ordained to the priesthood in 2000. He later earned degrees in psychology and counseling, and came to Canada in 2007 at the invitation of the Oblates.

He first served for several years in the northern communities of Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay in the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas, learning the Cree language and forming lasting friendships. He subsequently ministered for many years in Edmonton, becoming widely known for his work at Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples and, more recently, for his ministry at Lac Ste. Anne, Enoch, Alexis Reserve, Paul Band First Nation, and Alexander First Nation.

Archbishop Murray Chatlain of Winnipeg, who has served as apostolic administrator since 2024, welcomed the news, noting that Jesu “served here for seven years and knows our communities well.” Kavanagh also praised his pastoral gifts and his close accompaniment of Indigenous, Metis, and Inuit peoples.

The Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas is home to Metis, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dene, and non-Indigenous peoples across 280,000 square miles. Jesu said he hopes to serve its communities “with faith and love,” continuing the Oblate charism of evangelizing the poor and accompanying those most in need.

This story was first published by The B.C. Catholic and has been adapted by CNA. It is reprinted here with permission.

ACI Prensa Staff, Nov 27, 2025 / 06:28 am (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for December is for Christians living amidst war or conflict, especially in the Middle East:

“Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation, and hope,” the Holy Father said in a video released Nov. 25 by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network.

Father Cristóbal Fones, international director of the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, emphasized that Leo XIV's request "is a gesture of closeness and hope: a way of saying to the Christians of Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and so many other countries that they are not forgotten, that the universal Church walks with them; but also to remind us all that faith grows even in the midst of trials, and that seeds of reconciliation and peace can be born from wounded communities."

Below is the prayer that Pope Leo XIV encourages us to pray this December:

God of peace,
who through the blood of Your Son
has reconciled the world to Yourself,
today we pray for Christians
living amidst wars and violence. 

Even surrounded by pain, may they
never cease to feel the gentle kindness of your presence
and the prayers of their brothers and sisters in faith.

For only through You, and strengthened by fraternal bonds,
can they become the seeds of reconciliation,
builders of hope in ways both small and great,
capable of forgiving and moving forward,
of bridging divides,
and of seeking justice with mercy.

Lord Jesus, who called blessed
those who work for peace,
make us Your instruments of peace
even where harmony seems impossible.

Holy Spirit,
source of hope in the darkest times,
sustain the faith of those who suffer and strengthen their hope.
Do not let us fall into indifference,
and make us builders of unity, like Jesus.

Amen.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

ACI MENA, Nov 27, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

The arrival of Pope Leo XIV to Lebanon is approaching quickly, and preparations are underway at every level — state institutions, municipalities, parishes, and countless volunteers are working to ensure the country is ready for this historic moment. 

It’s not only leaders and officials who are preparing. In the School of the Apostles (“Collège des Apôtres”) in Jounieh, children are also getting ready in their own way, eager to welcome the Holy Father and to take part in an event they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Preparing hearts and minds for the papal visit

Father Maroun Moubarak, the superior of the School of the Apostles, explained that for his students, the visit represents a defining moment — one they will carry with them forever. It is a milestone not every generation is granted: Previous ones experienced such occasions only during the visits of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II.

Moubarak emphasized that the visit also reveals the deep compassion the Vatican and the pope hold for Lebanon. He stressed that the attention Pope Leo is giving to the country means a great deal to the students.

“It stands as a call for young Christians to remain steadfast, to deepen their faith, and to live it each day. They await the visit with joy and anticipation,” he told ACI MENA, CNA’s Arabic-language news partner.

The priest also explained how the school is preparing students for the visit, noting that a structured plan has been developed to guide them both spiritually and intellectually.

The program includes internal communication materials that introduce the meaning of the visit and the role of the papacy. Students are also learning about the official logo of the visit and its symbols. Daily Masses are being celebrated with special intentions for the success of the visit, and workshops and research projects on the Vatican and previous papal trips are being created and displayed across the school campus, fostering a shared spirit of unity and anticipation.

Letters to the pope

One of the initiatives the school undertook in preparation of the papal visit was inviting students to write letters to the pope — an activity designed to help them feel personally involved in the visit. 

The children were given complete freedom to express whatever they wished to say or ask, and the results were remarkably diverse: Each student had a unique perspective, tone, and style. The letters were written in English, Arabic, and French — the languages taught at the school — and they revealed a wide range of thoughts and hopes. Many shared a common request: that the pope pray for Lebanon’s financial recovery. It is a plea that reflects the severity of the economic crisis and how deeply even the youngest feel its impact.

Among the students is Makarios Osta, in Grade 8, who chose to share a clear wishlist. He wrote:

“First, please pray that Lebanon gets leaders who truly love their country.

“Second, please pray that our parents smile again when they talk about the future.

“Third, please pray that Christians in Lebanon don’t feel small or tired anymore. We want to be proud, strong, and free to dream.”

Another student, Cassandra Katerji, focused her letter on promises. She wrote:

“We don’t want to grow up in despair. We promise to be the generation that rebuilds Lebanon, not only its buildings, but its faith, its hope, its moral strength.

“Lebanon is a country of many religions and voices. Sometimes those voices clash. But we, the youth, promise to speak only the language of peace.

“Sometimes Lebanon feels like a land of fading lights. But we, the youth, refuse to let the flame die. We promise to keep the light of Christ burning, in our schools, our homes, our conversations, even on social media.”

Classmate Rita Tahtouh added a striking and thoughtful message, writing: “We are like the cedars of God, we do not fear the storms; what we fear is becoming wood burned in political deals.”

Chris Abi Hanna, on the other hand, shared a lighter and more playful note. He wrote: “I hope you enjoy the Land of the Cedars and the saints. I know your schedule will be super busy, but I really hope you’ll find a little time to taste our food, some kibbeh and tabbouleh, with a view of our beautiful mountains. Just one warning, Your Holiness: After that meal, every other Vatican lunch will feel a little boring.”

Beyond the visit

Looking beyond the visit, Moubarak emphasized that the school’s mission does not end when the pope leaves Lebanon. 

“We aim to encourage our students to continue following the pope’s teachings, his travels, and his messages, understanding that the Church is alive, present, and close to people’s daily struggles, not something distant or purely ceremonial,” he said.

He explained that students will listen attentively to the pope’s address to young people during the gathering in Bkerke and then translate his words into concrete commitments through workshops and reflection.

He noted that the Vatican, particularly through the Dicastery for Culture and Education, plays a crucial role in forming the human person in all dimensions, not only spiritually but also intellectually, morally, and socially. This formation, he said, enables young people to take their place in society and contribute to its growth. In Lebanon, he added, families sacrifice greatly to educate their children; education is considered their most valuable treasure, and continued support, both spiritual and material, is essential.

As Pope Leo XIV arrives in Türkiye on the first leg of his first Apostolic Journey, Fr. Alexander Jernej, CM, describes the context of the Christian community in the majority Muslim country.

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Vatican City, Nov 27, 2025 / 04:57 am (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Turkey Thursday on his first international apostolic journey. The wide-ranging trip — spanning historic ecumenical encounters, deeply symbolic gestures of prayer, and pastoral visits to Christian communities under pressure — is expected to highlight the pope’s priorities of unity, peace, and encouragement across a region marked by both ancient faith and present suffering.

During his flight from Rome, the pope told reporters that he hoped his trip would be an occasion to "proclaim how important peace is throughout the world, and to invite all people to come together, to search for greater unity, greater harmony, and to look for the ways that all men and women can truly be brothers and sisters."

He also wished American reporters in particular a Happy Thanksgiving.

The papal plane arrived in Turkey’s capital, Ankara, around 12:30 pm local time. Upon arrival, the pope was scheduled to visit the Atatürk Mausoleum, built in honor of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. He will then travel to the Presidential Palace for a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and an address to authorities, civil society representatives, and the diplomatic corps. The pope will not remain overnight in Ankara but will continue by air to Istanbul the same day.

Ecumenically focused visit

The visit to Turkey centers on the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. The pope will participate in an ecumenical prayer service in Iznik, the site of the historic council that articulated Christian teaching on the nature of Christ and affirmed the Nicene Creed. The council also issued disciplinary norms and established a common date for Easter.

During his stay, the pope will take part in several ceremonies and is expected to sign a joint declaration with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople. He will also visit Istanbul’s Sultan Ahmed Mosque.

A notable omission from the pope’s itinerary is Hagia Sophia, the Byzantine church-turned-mosque that the Turkish government designated a museum open to all faiths in the 20th century. Pope Francis visited the monument in 2014, on the last papal visit to Turkey, but said he was “deeply pained” when the government turned it back into a mosque six years later. Patriarch Bartholomew also protested the change.

Pope Leo’s visit carries particular significance for Turkey’s small Christian community, which looks to the pope for support and encouragement. The motto for the visit is “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” The Catholic community has witnessed several attacks in past decades, such as the killing of Father Andrea Santoro in Trabzon in 2006 and the assassination of the Apostolic Vicar of Anatolia, Bishop Luigi Padovese, in 2010. In 2024, two people attacked Santa Maria Church in Istanbul’s Sariyer district during Holy Mass, leading to the death of one person attending the service. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the last attack.

Christians have also been facing, like the rest of the population, the economic consequences of severe inflation in the Turkish lira, the national currency, in recent years. They have likewise endured the devastating effects of the earthquake that shook southern Turkey in February 2023.

A message of peace for Lebanon

After Turkey, the pope will travel to Lebanon. Speaking to journalists last month, he said he would have there “the opportunity to proclaim once again the message of peace in the Middle East, in a country that has suffered so much.”

Leo’s itinerary in Lebanon highlights both the nation’s deep Christian roots and its recent trauma. The pope will visit the tomb of St. Charbel, a revered Maronite saint, in Annaya, meet with young people outside the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerke, and spend time in silent prayer at the site of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, which killed more than 236 people and injured over 7,000, according to Human Rights Watch.

Lebanon’s Christian community has endured years of hardship — from the 2019 economic collapse to the 2020 blast, as well as ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah since October 2023. Though weakened by emigration and crisis, Christians remain central to the nation’s political and social life: the president, army commander, and central bank governor must all be Maronite Catholics, and Parliament is evenly divided between Christians and Muslims.

Many Lebanese Christians have left the country in search of stability and economic opportunity. For those who remain, the pope’s presence is widely seen as a sign of hope, particularly during the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.

Pope Leo XIV concludes the first day of his Apostolic Journey to Türkiye after meeting with the country's civil authorities and calling for the Church and Turkish citizens to build a culture of encounter and dialogue.

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ANKARA, Turkey (CNS) -- Pope Leo XIV began his first papal trip speaking of dialogue, peace and thanksgiving -- referring to both the holiday and his own gratitude.

On the plane to Turkey Nov. 27, he wished a Happy Thanksgiving to the Americans among the 80 journalists traveling with him and told them, "It's a wonderful day to celebrate."

He also received from reporters two pumpkin pies and a pecan pie; he said he would share "part of it."

Pope Leo also was given a baseball bat that had belonged to 1950s White Sox player Nellie Fox.

After expressing his appreciation, the pope asked, "How did you get that through security?" 

During the flight, speaking to the reporters from the front of the economy section of the ITA Airways plane, Pope Leo said, "I want to begin by saying thank you to each and every one of you for the service that you offer to the Vatican, to the Holy See, to my person, but to the whole world. It's so important today that the message be transmitted in a way that really reveals the truth and the harmony that the world needs."

Landing in Ankara after the flight of almost three hours, Pope Leo fulfilled the dictates of protocol as a visiting head of state, meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Safi Arpagus, the head of the national religious affairs office, known as the Diyanet.

Later, addressing the president, other government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and civic leaders, Pope Leo told them, "Today, more than ever, we need people who will promote dialogue and practice it with firm will and patient resolve." 

After World War II, he said, the world came together and formed the United Nations and other international and regional organizations committed to dialogue, cooperation and conflict resolution.

"We are now experiencing a phase marked by a heightened level of conflict on the global level, fueled by prevailing strategies of economic and military power," Pope Leo said. "This is enabling what Pope Francis called 'a third world war fought piecemeal.'"

"We must in no way give in to this," the pope insisted. "The future of humanity is at stake. The energies and resources absorbed by this destructive dynamic are being diverted from the real challenges that the human family should instead be facing together today, namely peace, the fight against hunger and poverty, health and education, and the protection of creation."

In a land where most people are Muslim, but the constitution officially proclaims the nation secular, Pope Leo praised both the tolerance of religious diversity and the encouragement given to people of all religions to practice their faith.

"In a society like the one here in Turkey, where religion plays a visible role, it is essential to honor the dignity and freedom of all God's children, both men and women, fellow nationals and foreigners, poor and rich," he said.

"We are all children of God, and this has personal, social and political implications," he said, including working for the common good and respecting all people.

Pope Francis, who visited Turkey in 2014, urged all believers in God "to feel the pain of others and to listen to the cry of the poor and of the earth," the pope said. "He thus encouraged us to compassionate action, which is a reflection of the one God who is merciful and compassionate" -- as Muslims frequently repeat -- and "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love," as the Psalms say.

Pope Leo encouraged all people in Turkey and all people of good will to defend social bonds, beginning with the family. 

"People do not obtain greater opportunities or happiness from an individualistic culture, nor by showing contempt for marriage or shunning openness to life," he said.

"Those who scorn fundamental human ties and fail to learn how to bear even their limitations and fragility," he said, "more easily become intolerant and incapable of interacting with our complex world."

Pope Leo asked the people of Turkey to value their diversity, both cultural and religious. And he assured them that the nation's Catholic community -- about 35,000 people or less than 1% of the population -- wants to contribute.

"Uniformity would be an impoverishment," the pope said. "Indeed, a society is alive if it has a plurality, for what makes it a civil society are the bridges that link its people together."

Unfortunately, he said, today "communities are increasingly polarized and torn apart by extreme positions that fragment them."
 

Continuing the tradition begun in 1982, a 25-meter-tall tree from the northern Italian province of Bolzano finds its place towering over tourists in St. Peter’s Square until the end of the Christmas season.

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