Summary
Pope Leo visited Turkey and Lebanon to encourage interfaith dialogue. He chose not to pray at two significant religious sites in Turkey and also avoided using the term "genocide" when referring to the historical massacre of Armenians. The Pope highlighted the significance of the Council of Nicaea's 1,700th anniversary during his visit.
Key Facts
- Pope Leo completed his visits to Turkey and Lebanon, focusing on interfaith dialogue.
- He did not pray at Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, unlike some previous popes.
- Pope Leo skipped visiting the Hagia Sophia, which is now a mosque again.
- He praised the Christian community in Turkey but did not label past mass killings as "genocide."
- The Pope called for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- The submerged Basilica of Saint Neophytos was revealed by drought, marking the Council of Nicaea's historical site.
- Pope Leo's visit coincided with the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, where Christian beliefs were formalized.
