• Pope Leo XIV, who succeeded the late Pope Francis in May, took his first trip on Thursday. • He doesn't fly on a private jet, but instead charters full-sized passenger airliners. • These state trips can cost tens of millions of dollars, but the Vatican doesn't foot the bill.

One of the world's most influential people doesn't travel by private jet — he and his large entourage need something much bigger.

For his first trip abroad, Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV is chartering a full-size Airbus airliner — effectively a flying Vatican — to transport his staff, clergy, security personnel, and international press as he travels to Turkey and Lebanon from November 27 to December 2.

The Vatican doesn't have its own airline or airport, so the 180-seater A320neo narrowbody is operated by the Ital

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