Pope Leo leaves for Turkey in first foreign trip.

While the late Pope Francis initially planned these visits, Pope Leo has truly embraced the trip's overarching theme: "building bridges." This unifying message has been central to his papacy since the moment he first appeared on St Peter's Basilica's balcony after his election in May.

In his initial six months, Pope Leo has cultivated an image of being extremely thoughtful, even cautious. Yet, this trip will undoubtedly put his diplomatic skills squarely in the spotlight.

A key moment will unfold in Iznik, Turkey, the site of the ancient city of Nicaea. Here, Pope Leo will join leaders from various Christian traditions to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of a pivotal ancient council. Back in 325 AD, over 200 bishops at this council made significant decisions, including affirming Jesus as the Son of God, which eventually led to the foundational Nicene Creed. Though Eastern and Western Christianity later experienced a dramatic split, this gathering will emphasize messages of togetherness and healing historical divisions.

During his time in Turkey, the Pope will also visit the iconic Blue Mosque, a stop made by both his immediate predecessors, Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI. He'll engage in meetings with other religious leaders, fostering inter-religious dialogue before moving on to the second leg of his journey.

The Vatican has confirmed that plans for the Pope's visit to Lebanon remain unchanged, despite the Israeli airstrikes on Beirut earlier in the week. He will meet with more faith leaders and hear directly from young Lebanese people. His presence is particularly expected to uplift the country's Christian population, which comprises about a third of the total.

On the trip's final day, Pope Leo will celebrate Mass at the Beirut waterfront. This poignant location is the site of the devastating 2020 port explosion, and he will offer prayers for the more than 200 lives lost and the 7,000 injured.

In recent months, while Pope Leo has certainly voiced his convictions on issues close to his heart, such as the dignity of migrants, he hasn't been as overtly political as his predecessor could be. He's masterfully navigated such a delicate path that, at times, both progressives and traditionalists within the Catholic Church have interpreted his stance as supporting their own viewpoints. This nuanced approach is believed to be why cardinals of varying perspectives rallied around him during the conclave.

Pope Francis was widely regarded as a visionary, yet one who didn't always prioritize consensus, leaving the Church somewhat fractured. Pope Leo, however, has operated quite differently thus far. He gently upholds some of his predecessor's progressive ideals while respectfully considering the views of traditionalists.

He has consistently advocated for an end to war, though his method differs from Pope Francis, who famously made daily calls to the Holy Family Church in Gaza to offer his support. During meetings on this trip—with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Lebanese civic leaders—Pope Leo may be prompted to share his thoughts on the ongoing conflict in the region.

We can likely expect to hear his impressions at the trip's conclusion, as it's customary for the Pope to hold a news conference with the traveling press on the flight back to Rome. And for a unique twist? We’ll be hearing a pope speak with a Chicagoan accent! Although Pope Leo, a fluent speaker of several languages, has primarily delivered public addresses in Italian until now, the Vatican has confirmed he will speak English throughout the Turkish portion of his journey, and some French during his time in Lebanon.