Pope Leo XIV will visit the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Istanbul on November 30, during his Apostolic Journey to Lebanon and Turkey, marking a historic moment of recognition for the Armenian Apostolic Church and its centuries-old presence in the city, reports Vatican News.
The visit will take place on the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, as part of the Holy Father’s Apostolic Journey to Lebanon and Turkey from November 27 to December 2, 2025. The trip marks Pope Leo XIV’s first Apostolic Journey outside of Italy since the start of his pontificate and coincides with the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicea.
During his stay in Turkey, Pope Leo will meet with religious leaders, including Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, and attend various interfaith and ecumenical events. His prayer visit to the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral holds special significance, reflecting the Vatican’s recognition of the historic and spiritual presence of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Istanbul. The cathedral, long a center of Armenian Christian life in the city, stands as a testament to the endurance and faith of the Armenian community, which has maintained its religious and cultural identity despite centuries of adversity.
Following his visit to the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, the Pope will attend a Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George, participate in an ecumenical blessing, and share lunch with the Ecumenical Patriarch.
After concluding his engagements in Turkey, Pope Leo will travel to Beirut, Lebanon, to begin the second leg of his Apostolic Journey. His itinerary includes meetings with Lebanon’s political leadership, visits to Christian holy sites such as the tomb of St. Charbel Makl?f and the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, as well as an ecumenical and inter-religious gathering in Martyrs’ Square. He will also visit the Beirut Port explosion site for silent prayer and celebrate Holy Mass at the Beirut Waterfront before returning to Rome on December 2.
