Pope Leo XIV eyes Nicaea for first trip, Ukraine next?
The Italian newspaper "La Repubblica" reports that Pope Leo XIV will likely make his first trip to Nicaea in Turkey to commemorate the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. The Pope also wishes to visit Ukraine, though this visit will depend on the progress of peace negotiations.
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, emphasizing that such a visit would bring true hope to all believers and the entire Ukrainian nation.
The discussion also touched on peace in Ukraine and the issue of children deported by Russia. Zelensky thanked the Pope for his support and discussed the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, highlighting Ukraine's readiness for further negotiations and expecting similar steps from Russia.
Both parties agreed to stay in contact and 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".
While Ukraine is a primary focus, Pope Leo XIV is also considering other destinations for his first international trips.
Is Turkey the first destination?
Among these destinations is Nicaea in Turkey, where an ecumenical meeting would be held to mark the anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea.
"While we will have to wait for possible peace negotiations to clarify the situation concerning Ukraine, Leo XIV’s first trip may be to Nicaea in Turkey for the anniversary of the Council," notes the Italian newspaper.
Such a visit would be significant for dialogue between Christians of different denominations. The Pope has not yet declared specific dates or locations, noting that plans may change now that he is Pope.
In conversations with journalists, Pope Leo XIV also addressed questions about potential visits to Fatima, the United States (his country of origin), and Peru, where he worked 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 be forthcoming.
Source: "La Repubblica"
