Pope Leo XVI’s first Apostolic Visit is one that was originally organised with Pope Francis in mind.
The 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea led to plans for an ecumenical gathering in Turkey, with the intervening conflict in Gaza and escalation of tensions in Lebanon adding diplomatic importance to the visit.
In Turkey, Leo received a warm welcome both from the state and from the small Christian community there.
The pope raised eyebrows when he politely declined to pray at the Blue Mosque, a break with recent pontificates. The move was largely praised online by Catholics.
Despite claims by some online that Leo gave rosaries to the Imams, they were actually commemorative medals that he handed to them upon leaving.
The pope took part in an ecumenical gathering to celebrate the Council of Nicaea, a beautiful moment of ecumenism.
In Lebanon, the pope received an ecstatic reception despite the heavy rain.
He also visited the tomb of the great Saint Charbel, a saint beloved by the Lebanese diaspora the world over.
