ANKARA, Turkey — Pope Leo XIV touched down in the conflict-ridden Middle East on the first international trip of his papacy, urging peace and hoping to help the Catholic Church heal centuries-old divisions with other religions and denominations.

As his fellow countrymen celebrate Thanksgiving , the first American pontiff’s plate will be full on a six-day tour of Turkey and Lebanon that will be closely scrutinized. He plans to meet with religious and political leaders, lead Mass in both countries and try to provide a boost to long-suffering Christian communities throughout the region.

Ahead of his trip, Leo shared a Thanksgiving message with NBC News in which he encouraged all people “to say thank you to someone” and “to recognize that we have all received so many gifts, first a

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