Pope Leo will embark on his first trip outside Italy as the leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, traveling to Turkey and Lebanon, where he is expected to make appeals for peace in the region and urge unity among long-divided Christian churches.

Leo, the first U.S. pope , will give his first speeches to foreign governments and visit sensitive cultural sites as part of a crowded itinerary during the Nov. 27-Dec. 2 trip.

His predecessor Pope Francis had planned to visit both countries but was unable to because of his worsening health.

Francis died on April 21 and Leo, originally from Chicago, was elected pope on May 8 by the world's cardinals.

Pope Leo waves as he leaves at the end of an audience on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Choirs in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican

See Full Page