Pope Leo XIV began his first papal trip speaking of dialogue, peace and thanksgiving — referring to both the holiday and his own gratitude.
Middle East
Posted inVatican Dispatch
Pope Leo in Turkey and Lebanon: What to know about his first foreign trip
Leo XIV will set out on his first foreign trip as pope on the morning of Nov. 27, first to Turkey, a Muslim country with a tiny Christian population, and then, on Nov. 30, to Lebanon, the country with the largest Christian population in the Middle East.
Posted inVatican Dispatch
Ahead of Pope Leo’s trip, a look at Christian life in Muslim-majority Turkey
On the eve of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Turkey for the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, America spoke with Jean-Marc Balhan, S.J., a Belgian Jesuit who has lived in the country since 2001, about the situation of Christians, the state of interreligious dialogue and how the pope’s visit is viewed there. Father […]
Posted inPodcasts
Why is Pope Leo visiting Lebanon?
This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac chat with Daniel Corrou, S.J., who leads Jesuit Refugee Service in Lebanon, where Pope Leo will visit, Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.
Posted inEditorials
Trump’s pressure on Israel made the Gaza peace plan possible. He’ll need to keep it up for a lasting peace.
The editors of America have been critical of the actions of President Trump regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since he retook office in January, but last week’s accord is a moment where credit should be given where credit is due.
Posted inNews
Pope Leo XIV to visit Turkey and Lebanon next month on first foreign trip
Pope Leo XIV will visit Turkey and Lebanon next month on his first foreign trip as pope. The Vatican said Tuesday that Leo will be in Turkey from Nov. 27-30 and Lebanon from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.
Posted inVatican Dispatch
Pope Leo calls for human dignity for migrants and an end to war in Gaza
He also expressed concern at “the rise of anti-Semitic hatred in the world,” following the terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester, England, this past week.
Posted inFeatures
When Eastern and Western church calendars lined up, Christians celebrated the Ascension at this Jerusalem chapel
This is the story of how Greek Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christians in Jerusalem came to celebrate their feast of the Ascension in the holy space where they all believe Jesus ascended to heaven.
Posted inFaith in Focus
Fasting for peace in Gaza: What Pope Leo’s call really means
I can’t will myself into a spiritual experience, into a sense of solidarity or meaning or nobility or deep and somber union with God and man. I can will myself into doing regular daily things and recording them and seeing what comes of it all.
Posted inNews
Pope Leo’s first international trip could be to Lebanon, cardinal says
The Mediterranean nation of around 6 million, including more than 1 million Syrian and Palestinian refugees, has the largest percentage of Christians in the Middle East and is the only Arab country with a Christian head of state.