The Levant Files

Italy’s recent clash involving Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, U.S. President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV is accelerating a shift toward a conservative vision of a “Europe of Nations,” in which sovereign states reclaim strategic autonomy while remaining inside the Western alliance framework, writes Alessandro Imperiali in The Conservative. At the heart of Rome’s current posture is the idea of a “Europe of Nations,” rooted in the European right’s tradition and inspired by Charles de Gaulle’s conviction that Europe must be an alliance of sovereign states, not a supranational bureaucracy. In this vision, Italy seeks renewed centrality—especially in the Mediterranean—by asserting more room for national decision‑making without formally breaking from its commitments to NATO, the European Union and the transatlantic relationship. The immediate trigger for the latest tensions was Italy’s decision not to renew its defense memorandum with Israel, officially justified by repeated attacks on Ital...

The Vatican will not take part in U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Gaza Board of Peace” initiative, the Holy See’s top diplomat Cardinal Pietro Parolin said on Tuesday, adding that efforts to address international crises should be handled by the United Nations. “The Holy See will not participate in the Board of Peace because of its particular nature, which is evidently not that of other States,” Parolin said. The Vatican’s decision comes after Pope Leo — the first U.S.-born pope and a critic of some of Trump’s policies — was invited in January to join the board. Italy and EU to attend only as observers Italy and the European Union have indicated they will send representatives to the Washington meeting as observers, stopping short of joining the board. Parolin’s remarks underscored the Holy See’s longstanding position that international crises and peace initiatives should be managed through established multilateral institutions, particularly the United Nations, rather than ad hoc structur...

Pope Leo XIV has concluded a landmark visit to Lebanon, marking his first foreign tour following his trip to Turkey. While the Pontiff’s presence offered significant political and moral support, the true weight of his mission lay in a profound existential imperative: to protect Lebanon from total collapse and prevent the hollowing out of its unique identity as a "Message" to the world. The visit served as a spiritual shield against those who wish to transform the nation into a monolithic entity or fracture it into irrelevant "geographical pies"—isolated clusters of homogenous yet conflicting groups—which would strip Lebanon of its global influence and historical significance. According to Al Joumhouria, this historic visit occurred during one of the most critical and dangerous moments in the history of the "Land of the Cedars," amid grave fears for its sovereignty, independence, and civil peace. The country is currently mired in sharp sectarian political d...

In a display of Christian solidarity with unmistakable geopolitical undertones, Pope Leo XIV joined Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George in the Phanar district of Istanbul for the Throne Feast honoring Saint Andrew , the Apostle considered the founder of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Patriarchal and Synodal Divine Liturgy, presided over by Patriarch Bartholomew with Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria co-celebrating, drew an assembly of hierarchs from both churches, representatives of other Christian confessions, diplomats, government officials, and faithful from around the world. The Greek government was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Loverdos , underscoring Athens' continued close relationship with the historic seat of Orthodox Christianity . A Symbol of Unity in Divided Times The Pope arrived at the Phanar at approximately 10:30 local time, greeted by the Ecumenical Patriarch in a scene laden with historical symbolism...

In an unprecedented moment for Christian unity, Pope Leo IV and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew gathered at the ancient site of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea , marking 1,700 years since the historic assembly that shaped the foundations of Christian doctrine. According to Ertnews, this marked the first time in history that a Pope of Rome has traveled to Nicaea, fulfilling the vision of Pope Francis, who alongside Patriarch Bartholomew had intensively promoted interfaith dialogue . The small town of Iznik , home to approximately 20,000 residents in Turkey's Bursa province, was adorned with Turkish Republic emblems and symbols commemorating the papal apostolic journey. The gathering took place at an archaeological site on the shores of the lake, where the ruins of the Basilica of St. Neophytos lay submerged until 2014. The two religious leaders prayed together at the very location where, in 325 AD, Emperor Constantine summoned more than 300 church fathers, bishops, and m...

Pope Leo XIV, the spiritual leader of 1.5 billion Roman Catholics and the first American to hold the papacy, is set to begin a historic four-day official visit to Turkey tomorrow, November 27. This marks his first overseas trip since ascending to the throne of Saint Peter. The visit, which comes at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will span Ankara, Istanbul, and the historic district of Iznik, before the Pontiff departs for Lebanon on Sunday. According to Burhanettin Duran, the Turkish Presidency's Director of Communications, the visit will begin in the capital, Ankara. In a statement released on the social media platform NSosyal, Duran confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will be received with an official ceremony by President Erdoğan. The subsequent meetings between the two leaders are expected to cover Turkey-Vatican relations, but will heavily focus on critical regional and global developments, particularly the ongoing situation in Palestine. Following these diplomatic ...

United States Vice President JD Vance is planning to travel to Turkey later this month to accompany Pope Leo on a historic visit to the ancient city of Iznik/Nicomedia , where Christian leaders will commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea . The November 28 ceremony would mark a significant moment in Christian-Turkish relations and underscore the site's importance in early Christianity's development . According to Middle East Eye , which first reported the planned visit, Vance, who is Catholic, hopes to participate in the joint commemoration alongside Pope Leo and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the site of an ancient basilica submerged in Lake Iznik . The publication's sources indicate that while discussions are ongoing and Vance's participation has not been finalized, Turkish officials expect the vice president to attend the historic gathering. The timing appears favorable for Vance's participation, as he is already scheduled to...

The famed white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney today, March 15, 2025, signaling the election of a new leader for the world's 1.3 billion Catholics. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American-born Augustinian friar with extensive experience in Peru and the Roman Curia, has been chosen as the 267th Pope. He will take the pontifical name Pope Leo XIV. The Cardinal Protodeacon announced, "Habemus Papam!" ("We have a Pope!"), from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to tens of thousands of pilgrims and onlookers gathered in a rain-swept St. Peter's Square. Shortly thereafter, the 69-year-old Pope Leo XIV appeared, offering his first "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) blessing, a moment met with jubilant cheers and applause. The election of Pope Leo XIIV follows a conclave convened after Pope Francis's death. His selection marks a significant moment, bringing to the papacy a figure with deep pastoral roots in Lati...

In a historic moment captured by the international media, white smoke billowed from the chimney above St Peter’s Square earlier today, signaling the election of a new pope. The sight triggered an outpouring of joy among the crowd gathered in the Vatican, who anxiously awaited this pivotal announcement. Cheers erupted, flags waved, and strangers embraced as the Catholic Church concluded its search for a new leader. Images on social media depict the electric atmosphere, with people jumping for joy, praying, and capturing the moment on their phones. Reuters photos show nuns in white headscarves beaming with delight and a couple from Greece describing the event as a “once in a lifetime experience,” as reported by Scarlett Barter from the Vatican (published at 19:17). The sound of ringing bells reverberated through the square, amplifying the crowd’s fervor as they surged forward to witness history. The process moves swiftly following the white smoke. The newly elected pontiff is fitted with...

  Following the death of Pope Francis at age 88, a controversial critique has emerged, accusing the late pontiff of degrading the Church and bearing significant responsibility for the recent rise in global antisemitism. In an opinion piece published in Israel Hayom , Dror Eydar argues vehemently that Israel should refrain from sending high-level representation to the Pope's funeral, citing Francis's actions and statements since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Eydar's central argument contends that Pope Francis failed the Jewish people in a time of crisis. The piece highlights the Pope's sermon in St. Peter's Square the day after the massacre, criticizing his failure to mention "even once, the atrocities committed by barbarians against the people of God." This silence, Eydar argues, set a precedent for the Pope's stance throughout the subsequent conflict, where he is accused of consistently criticizing Israel with "venomous language" and...

While Pope Francis's pontificate ends with his death in the morning of the Eastern Monday, the early days of his papacy, which began over a decade ago, remain marked by intense scrutiny over his role during Argentina's brutal military dictatorship (1976-1983). As revealed by various Western sources , the narrative is complex and often contested, adding layers of intrigue to his actions as Father Jorge Mario Bergoglio, then the young Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in Argentina. Immediately following his election in March 2013, long-simmering accusations resurfaced, primarily focusing on the abduction and torture of two Jesuit priests, Orlando Yorio and Franz Jalics, in 1976. Critics, including human rights lawyer Myriam Bregman, alleged that Bergoglio effectively withdrew the Church's protection from the priests, who worked in poor neighborhoods, potentially signaling to the military junta that they could be targeted. Yorio, until his death, believed Bergoglio had essen...

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday at the age of 88, according to a video statement released by the Vatican and shared by international news agencies. His 12-year pontificate, which often faced challenges, was marked by efforts to modernize the ancient institution amid significant internal divisions. "Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis," Cardinal Kevin Farrell stated on the Vatican's television channel. "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father." The Pope had recently recovered from a severe bout of double pneumonia, one of several health issues he faced during his papacy. Elected on March 13, 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio inherited a Church grappling with internal strife following the historic resignation of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. Hailing from Argentina, Francis became th...

Roma Katolik Kilisesi'nin ilk Lâtin Amerikalı lideri Papa Francis, Pazartesi günü 88 yaşında hayatını kaybetti. Vatikan'dan yapılan ve uluslararası haber ajansları tarafından paylaşılan videolu açıklamada, Papa'nın, köklü kurumu modernize etme çabaları sırasında önemli iç bölünmelerle geçen ve sık sık zorluklarla karşılaşılan 12 yıllık papalığının sona erdiği belirtildi. Vatikan televizyon kanalında açıklama yapan Kardinal Kevin Farrell, "Sevgili kardeşlerim, Kutsal Babamız Francis'in ölümünü derin bir üzüntüyle duyurmak zorundayım. Bu sabah saat 7:35'te Roma Piskoposu Francis, Baba'nın evine döndü," ifadelerini kullandı. Papa, papalığı süresince karşılaştığı çeşitli sağlık sorunlarından biri olan ciddi bir çift taraflı zatürreyi kısa süre önce atlatmıştı. 13 Mart 2013'te Papa seçilen Jorge Mario Bergoglio, selefi Papa Benedict XVI'nın tarihî istifasının ardından iç çekişmelerle boğuşan bir Kilise devraldı. Arjantin'den gelen Francis, 1300 ...