People holding Lebanese and Vatican flags gather on the day Pope Leo XIV arrives in Lebanon during his first apostolic journey, in Baabda, Lebanon, on Nov. 30.

Pope Leo XIV wrapped up his visit to Turkey on Sunday before heading to Lebanon, where he aimed to bring a message of hope to its long-suffering people and bolster a crucial Christian community in the Middle East.

Leo had two key appointments in Istanbul before flying to Beirut: a prayer at the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral and a divine liturgy with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, whose invitation to commemorate an important Christian anniversary was the impetus for Leo’s visit.

Leo processed into the Armenian cathedral in a cloud of incense as a male choir chanted. He praised

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