According to Vatican sources, preparations are under way for Pope Leo XIV to travel to Lebanon and Turkey at the end of November in what would be his first trip abroad.
The two-country trip would likely last just under a week. The Vatican does not normally confirm official visits until closer to the time when it will take place.
It would mark the first foreign trip for Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo said in July that he hoped to visit the Turkish city Iznik for the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea this year, a milestone in Church history.
A spokesman for the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, confirmed he has invited the pontiff to Istanbul for an event on November to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea on November 29 before traveling together to Iznik together for the anniversary of the first Nicaea council on November 30, Saint Andrew’s Day.
The trip comes at a time when Turkey, led by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has poor record in dealing with the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. And, indeed, there are no churches in Iznik..either Catholic or Orthodox.
Vatican sources said preparations were also under way for a visit to Lebanon during the same trip…another of the world’s hot spots.
Castel Gandolfo, located above the city of Rome, has long been an escape from the heat of Rome during the summer months. And even Popes need a vacation from time to time, although in this case it becomes a “working vacation”. Most Popes chose to spend several weeks in the Papal Palace there each year….with the exception of Pope Francis, who rarely visited. However, with Pope Leo XIV, we may be going back to that tradition, at least in part.
After staying in Castel Gandolfo from July 6-22, and then from August 13-19, Pope Leo XIV returned to Castel Gandolfo on September 5 to inaugurate the Borgo Laudato si’.
According to the Italian news agency ANSA, Pope Leo may visit Castel Gandolfo regularly on Tuesdays, thus establishing a weekly tradition. It is 15 miles (25 kilometers) from Rome, a short 50-minute drive, although going by helicopter is also an option.
Photo courtesy Vatican News Service
In the case of Pope Leo, he has typically traveled in an open-top vehicle, and upon his arrival, often exited the car and walked the final stretch to his residence to greet and bless the crowd gathered to see him.
As announced in 2023, World Youth Day 2027 will be held in Seoul, South Korea. Pope Leo XIV has set the dates to be August 3 through 8, 2027 and the theme is “Take courage! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
South Korea has experienced a remarkable transformation from poverty to prosperity…..from authoritarianism to democracy. It went on to become an economic powerhouse in Asia. For example, imports from South Korea to the U.S. totaled $131.5 billion in 2024. China draws that figure at $438 billion, but it is still a large amount for such a small country (the population of China, at 1.4 billion, is roughly 27 times the population of South Korea).
South Korea represents a unique blend of faith, culture, and global influence, making it a fitting location to host World Youth Day that can help bridge the gap between the Global South and the Global North, as well as between East and West
The Catholic Church in Korea is vibrant, although it is still a minority religion, with about 11% of the population, it is characterized by its harmonious coexistence with diverse religious traditions. Unlike many other Asian countries, Korea was not colonized by Western imperialist powers; instead, it was colonized by Japan, an Asian imperialist power, in the first half of the 20th century and ruled the country until the end of World War II in 1945.
Pope John Paul II visited South Korea twice. His first visit was in 1984 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Korean Catholic Church, during which he canonized 103 Korean martyrs. His second visit was in 1989 to attend the 44th International Eucharistic Congress.
Crowds at Pope Francis’ visit to South Korea 2014
Pope Francis visited South Korea in August 2014 as part of the 6th Asian Youth Day, marking his first trip to Asia.
The Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Daejeon drew an estimated crowd of 800,000.
South Korea, particularly Seoul, is seen as a gateway to East Asia, and those organizing and hosting World Youth are expecting a “radiant beacon of unity embracing the rich culture of East Asia”.
The event provides an opportunity to showcase Korean culture and faith to the world.
The location has geo-political implications as well, since the Communist government of North Korea (backed by Communist China) will certainly be dis-pleased at such an event on their doorstep. The de-militarized zone between North and South Korea remains a potential flash point, and it should be remembered that the Korean War ended with an armistice on July 27, 1953. An armistice is a formal agreement to stop fighting, but it doesn’t necessarily signify the end of a war. It’s a ceasefire that allows for negotiations towards a lasting peace, but in the case of Korea, those negotiations have never resulted in a peace treaty.
If the crowds at the 2025 “Pilgrims of Hope” Youth Jubilee 2025 in Rome are anything to go by (over one million in attendance), this will be a huge event. Even secular news sources like the Associated Press (AP) and CBS News noted the enthusiastic participants in the Youth Jubilee 2025.
These events inspire us to have an optimistic outlook for the future of The Church.
Pope Leo XIV has formally recognized a medical miracle that took place in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 2007.
The miracle involves the recovery of a premature baby, Tyquan Hall, who was born via emergency cesarean section and suffered from oxygen deprivation. Tyquan’s doctors did not expect him to survive due to severe lack of oxygen and other symptoms.
Dr. Juan Sanchez, the attending physician, prayed for the intercession of the 19th-century Spanish priest, Father Salvador Valera Parra, a regional patron in his native Spain.
Moments after the prayer, the baby’s heart began to beat normally without further medical intervention. The following day, he was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit, although doctors still expected severe neurological damage. However, Tyquan was discharged from the hospital on March 1, 2007 and continued to grow normally, speaking at 18 months and walking at 2 years of age, ultimately leading a healthy and active life.
The investigation into the miracle began in 2014 when a bishop from Parra’s native Spain sent investigators to Rhode Island. The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints attributed Tyquan’s healing to Father Parra’s spiritual intercession, and Pope Leo XIV officially approved this declaration in 2025.
This recognized miracle places Father Valera Parra on the path to beatification, the final step before being potentially canonized as a saint, which would require a second verified miracle.
The Diocese of Providence expressed excitement about this recognition, emphasizing the power of prayer and the closeness of God through the intercession of holy individuals. This marks a significant event for Rhode Island and the Catholic Church, being the first recognized miracle in the state.
Pope Leo XIV is restoring the tradition of staying in Castel Gandolfo during the hot summer months of July and August….a practice shunned by Pope Francis. This will no doubt bring great joy to the residents of the town, who relied on the influx of visitors during the summer months to help bolster their economy.
Pope Leo XIV will spend part of July and a weekend in August at Villa Barberini, rather than the Papal Residence at Castel Gandolfo, which was turned in to a museum during the Papacy of Pope Francis. Villa Baberini was established by Taddeo Barberini, nephew of Pope Urban VIII. The construction of the mansion and the landscaping of the gardens, apparently entrusted to Gian Lorenzo Bernini, ended in 1635. The mansion consists of the extension of the pre-existing hunting lodge of Monsignor Scipione Visconti: and in some parts of the villa the coat of arms of the “biscione” of the Milanese Visconti family still remains.
The Piazza Pia in front of it is the largest square in Albano’s historic center, opened in the seventeenth century as part of the urban reorganization of the town to create the “trident” of streets. It took its current name in 1847, in memory of Pope Pius IX’s visit to Albano the previous year: the name of the square has since undergone a series of name changes, which have not, however, changed its popularly recognized name. The square has been the scene of several visits by popes since that of Pius IX.
Pope Leo will be celebrating Sunday Mass in local churches nearby and praying the Angelus with pilgrims in the town’s Liberty Square on Sundays.
According to the official Vatican News statement, his stay will begin on the afternoon of Sunday, July 6 when he transfers from the Papal Palace in Vatican City to Castel Gandolfo.
On Sunday, July 13, at 10:00 AM, Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Mass in the Pontifical Parish of Saint Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo, and at 12:00 PM he will recite the Angelus prayer in Liberty Square, in front of the Apostolic Palace.
On Sunday, July 20, at 9:30 AM, the Holy Father will celebrate Mass in the Cathedral of Albano, just 1.2 miles (3 km) away. At noon, he will again recite the Angelus prayer in Liberty Square in Castel Gandolfo.
That afternoon, the Holy Father will return to the Vatican, to participate in The Jubilee of Youth, scheduled to take place from July 28 through August 3. He will travel back to Castel Gandolfo in mid-August.
During the month of July, all private audiences are suspended, as well as the Wednesday General Audiences on July 2, 9, 16, and 23. The weekly General Audiences will resume on July 30.
On Friday, August 15, at 10:00 AM, the Holy Father will celebrate Mass in the Pontifical Parish of Castel Gandolfo, reciting the noon-day Angelus in Liberty Square.
He will again recite the Angelus on Sunday, August 17, at noon in Liberty Square. That afternoon, Pope Leo XIV will depart from Castel Gandolfo and return to the Vatican.
Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1955, Robert Francis Prevost is an Augustinian who holds a doctorate in canon law. Our new Holy Father is an alumnus of the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He was created cardinal on September 30, 2023 by Pope Francis. The Augustinians are known as a teaching order as well as a missionary order.
In the past he served in Chiclayo, Peru, where he was known both as a bridge-builder and for his outreach to the poor. He holds dual citizenship of both the U.S. and Peru.
More recently, he held the office of Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America since 2023.
In his first public appearance as Pope Leo XIV he quoted Saint Augustine: “For you I am a Bishop, with you I am a Christian“.
Perhaps not so well known as other candidates….and certainly much less mentioned (if at all), he becomes the first Pope from the U.S.A.
Although he is de-facto Pope already by virtue of his election to the papacy, Pope Leo XIV will be officially installed at a Mass in St. Peter’s Square on May 18. This Mass, which is a tradition marking the formal beginning of a new pontificate, is also known as the Mass for the Beginning of the Pontificate. Coincidentally, although it is just a coincidence, this happens to be the birthday of Pope John Paul II.
What’s in a name? Or, more importantly…..What’s in a name for a Pope?
When it comes to Popes choosing a name, there is great significance. They don’t just pick a name out of a hat, or find one that sounds good. Almost always, a new pope chooses a name that will relate to his style of governance within the Church. Leo means lion.
Pope Leo the Great meets Attila the Hun by Raphael
Interestingly, in 452 A.D. Pope Leo I (now know as Pope Leo the Great) went out alone to meet Attila the Hun, who had ravaged much of Europe including norther Italy, in an attempt to persuade him to spare Rome.
That meeting was subsequently immortalized in a fresco by the High Renaissance painter Raphael (1483-1520). The fresco now hangs in the Vatican Museums.
History shows that Attila subsequently withdrew his forces. Obviously there have been quite a few more Pope Leos….12 more in fact.
Another predecessor, Pope Leo XIII wrote 12 encyclicals on the Rosary and wrote the Saint Michael Prayer after a vision he experienced in 1884. The vision reportedly involved Satan boasting to God about his ability to destroy the Church within 75-100 years. Also, Leo XIII revived the study of St Thomas Aquinas
An interesting fact is that the date of the election of Pope Leo XIV, May 8, is The feast of Our Lady of Pompeii….the Patronage of Our Lady over the Dominican Order. .
The guessing as to what his Papacy will be like is all over the place, of course.
Our expectation is that he will probably trend a bit more traditional than modernists would have preferred and bit less traditional than the traditionalists would have preferred; although by his choice of vestments we believe he will lean toward the traditionalist side. Meantime, expect some hit pieces from the secular media as they dig through every thing he has ever said or done…..and put their spin on it.
His first homily as Pope Leo XIV gives us a clue as to the missionary emphasis of his Papacy:
“Where Christians are mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied is where the Catholic Church’s missionary outreach is most desperately needed” He could easily be talking about the secularization of many western nations, including the U.S.
It will be interesting to see if he moves in to the Papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace…a place where Pope Francis chose not to live, preferring the simple lodgings at Casa Marta.
One interesting quote from him that might give us a clue is when, as Bishop in Chiclayo, when he opposed a government plan to add teachings on gender in schools. He told the local news media”The promotion of gender ideology is confusing, because it seeks to create genders that don’t exist“.
And another quote: “We must be careful not to make the Church a mirror of the world. She is called to be a sign of contradiction.”
That seems very similar to Luke 2:34, when Simeon blesses Mary and speaks a prophecy about the child Jesus. He declares that Jesus is “appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against“.
On May 14 Pope Leo XIV held his first public Papal Audience, Wednesday being the traditional day for Papal public audiences.
Pope Leo has made a surprise visit to the Shrine of Madonna of Good Counsel, outside Rome. It is an Augustinian Shrine……Pope Leo is an Augustinian and has a great devotion to the Mother of Good Counsel.
Here is the official press release from the Shrine:
“With great surprise Pope Leo XIV, our Augustinian confrere Fr. Robert Francis Prevost, presented himself this afternoon around 4 pm on a visit to the Shrine, to entrust his election and the entire Church to the Mother of Good Counsel.
Pope Leo has made a surprise visit to the Shrine of Madonna of Good Counsel, outside Rome. It is an Augustinian Shrine. Pope Leo has a great devotion to the Mother of Good Counsel. pic.twitter.com/R3wfLDlHRi
As a cardinal on April 25, 2024, he had celebrated Mass in the Shrine on the occasion of the Feast of the “Venus” of the Mother of Good Counsel. In his homily, the then Cardinal Prevost expressed his devotion to the Virgin, exhorting the faithful to be inspired by Mary to spread peace and reconciliation in the world.
This afternoon Pope Leo arrived in a Volkswagen multivan, sitting in the front seat; he was greeted by a cheering crowd of hundreds of people gathered in the square or looking out by windows and balconies. Many shouted “Lion, Leo” and the nearby streets were gradually crowded. Entering the church, where he greeted the religious, the Pontiff stopped in prayer, first in front of the altar and then in front of the image of the Virgin. With those present he recited the prayer of John Paul II to the Mother of Good Counsel.
At the end, after the Hail Mary and the song of the Salve Regina, the Pope addressed those who were in the church, greeting them and the people of Genazzano gathered outside: “I wanted so much to come here in these first days of the new ministry that the Church has delivered to me, to carry out this mission as the Successor of Peter”. And recalling the visit made after the a prior election of the Order of St. Augustine, and the choice to “offer life to the Church,” Leo XIV reiterated his ‘trust in the Mother of the Good Counsel,’ the company of ‘light, wisdom’ with the words addressed by Mary to the servants on the day of the Wedding at Cana, reported in John’s Gospel: ‘Whatever he says to you, do it.’
What a moment of grace! Let us gather as a Church under the mantle of our Mother together with our Pontiff, and we strengthen prayer for him, for his mission for the universal Church, for the Church and for the whole world”
Pope Leo XIV wrote in the Shrine’s guestbook:
“Still in the first days of the pontificate, I felt the duty and a deep longing to approach Genazzano, the shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel, who, throughout my life, has accompanied me with her maternal presence, with her wisdom, and the example of her love for her son who is always the center of my faith. Way, truth and life. Thank you Mother, for your help – accompany me in this newmission”
