Mikael Corre - The Cross
Hello, Your Holiness. Thank you for this very interesting trip. You just talked about continuing to build bridge between different worlds, and I would like to ask. Some Catholics in Europe believe that Islam is a threat to a Christian identity of the West. Are they right, and what would you say to them?
Pope Leo XIV
All of the conversations that I had during my time, both in Türkiye and in Lebanon, including with many Muslims, were precisely concentrated on the topic of peace and respect for people of different religions. I know, as a matter of fact, that has not always been the case. I know that in Europe there are many times fears that are present, but often times generated by people who are against immigration and trying to keep out people who may be from another country, another religion, another race. And in that sense I would say that we all need to work together. One of the values of this trip is precisely to raise the world's attention to the possibility that dialogue and friendship between Muslims and Christians is possible. I think one of the great lessons that Lebanon can teach to the world is precisely showing a land where Islam and Christianity are both present and are respected, and that there is a possibility to live together, to be friends. Stories, testimonies and witnesses that we heard even in the past two days of people helping each other, Christians with Muslims, both of whom had had their villages destroyed, for example, were saying that we can come together and work together. I think those are the lessons that would be important also to be heard in Europe or North America. That we should perhaps be a little less fearful and look for ways of promoting authentic dialogue and respect.
Pope Leo XIV
All of the conversations that I had during my time, both in Türkiye and in Lebanon, including with many Muslims, were precisely concentrated on the topic of peace and respect for people of different religions. I know, as a matter of fact, that has not always been the case. I know that in Europe there are many times fears that are present, but often times generated by people who are against immigration and trying to keep out people who may be from another country, another religion, another race. And in that sense I would say that we all need to work together. One of the values of this trip is precisely to raise the world's attention to the possibility that dialogue and friendship between Muslims and Christians is possible. I think one of the great lessons that Lebanon can teach to the world is precisely showing a land where Islam and Christianity are both present and are respected, and that there is a possibility to live together, to be friends. Stories, testimonies and witnesses that we heard even in the past two days of people helping each other, Christians with Muslims, both of whom had had their villages destroyed, for example, were saying that we can come together and work together. I think those are the lessons that would be important also to be heard in Europe or North America. That we should perhaps be a little less fearful and look for ways of promoting authentic dialogue and respect.
TO TÜRKIYE AND LEBANON
WITH PILGRIMAGE TO İZNIK (TÜRKIYE)
ON THE OCCASION OF THE 1700TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST COUNCIL OF NICEA
(27 November - 2 December 2025)
PRESS CONFERENCE OF THE HOLY FATHER
ON THE RETURN FLIGHT FROM BEIRUT TO ROME
Papal Flight
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
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